The city of Alachua’s qualifying period for 2024 local elections ended at noon today, with one seat that will be up for election, and the other incumbent running unopposed.
Incumbent Commissioner Shirley Green Brown was the only candidate to qualify for election in Seat 4, while Seat 5’s Jennifer Blalock has one challenger: Eric L. Ford.
Blalock won the seat in 2021 after former Commissioner Gary Hardacre chose to retire after 12 years and not run for reelection. Three candidates vied for his seat, but none won 50% of the vote.
Blalock and Malcom Dixon went on to a runoff election, where Blalock won with 58% of the vote.Â
Ford could not be reached for comment.
The election is set for Tuesday, April 9, with Seat 4 omitted from the ballot because Commissioner Green Brown is running unopposed.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Legacy Park Multipurpose Center, the Cleather Hathcock, Sr. Community Center and the Clubhouse at Turkey Creek.
Candidate documents are available for review in the Deputy City Clerk’s office at Alachua City Hall.
Who is Eric L Ford?