Fareed Johnson thanks his supporters and vows that he will not stop working for the residents of Gainesville

Letter to the editor

I’m writing this with deep appreciation to the citizens of Gainesville who believed in one of their own. I would like to thank each voter for their consideration and participation in the election process. For those who supported me, a simple thank you just isn’t enough. This journey started lonely and quickly grew into a movement. I was never interested in running to be a part of the majority, and that scared some folks at City Hall and the local DEC office. This movement-inspired campaign reached so many that a sitting Mayor had to put his boots on the ground to campaign against us.

As I stated in my previous letter, this campaign represented the values that some of our leaders speak of loosely, with no real intentionality. I wanted to run on a platform that was not divisive and that no one had to question. Quite frankly, I wanted to run on common sense. Safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, and reducing the tax burden are not partisan ideas. Recently, ensuring accountability for those who police and enforce laws has become a bipartisan concern. So, we must ask ourselves, how did this race become contentious?

One day, Gainesville will truly reflect these values, but it’s going to take a few more candidates willing to go against the entitled status quo. This race was a tremendous learning lesson. Going forward, I will continue to do the work alongside both Democrats and Republicans. The work did not stop on Election Day; it merely increased as our neighborhoods and businesses are being impacted by the failed policies supported by the elected candidate.

In closing, I give you my word that I will not stop until every person, regardless of race, socio-economic status, or political affiliation, is represented in the chambers of City Hall!

Fareed Johnson, Gainesville

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