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Friday, March 29, 2024

Ocala mayor cites city’s COVID-19 recovery in dropping congressional campaign

Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn

Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn has abandoned his congressional campaign.

The longtime politician made the announcement Monday morning on his Facebook page, saying that he was withdrawing from his bid for Florida’s 3rd Congressional seat currently held by the retiring Ted Yoho. Guinn said he instead will focus all of his attention on his duties as mayor as the city embarks on recovery efforts from the effects of the COVID-19 virus.

“I have always been passionate about public service for our local community,” he wrote. “Right now, I have a greater calling to ensure that the residents of Ocala are safe, healthy, and have jobs to go back to during the recovery efforts of the Coronavirus.”

Guinn, who became mayor in December 2011 after serving 12 years as a councilmember, also thanked all of his supporters and said he was praying that everyone’s families are healthy and safe.

Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn greeted President Trump when he landed at Ocala International Airport in October before speaking in The Villages.

Guinn, who currently is serving his fifth term as mayor, is a huge supporter of President Trump. He met with him at Ocala International Airport when the president landed there in October before traveling to The Villages for a speech at the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center.

The remaining Republican candidates running for the 3rd Congressional seat are Kat Cammack, Ryan Chamberlin, Todd Chase, Bill Engelbrecht, Joe Dallas Millado, Amy Pope Wells, Gavin Rollings, Judson Sapp, James St. George and David Theus. Democrats seeking their party’s nomination include Adam Christensen, Philip Dodds, Richard Allen Rowe and Tom Wells.