A longtime Ocala resident who has been in the healthcare and real estate industries for decades is hoping to bring his experience as a community leader and “man of faith” to the Ocala City Council.

TamBoura Jenkins is one of two candidates vying for the District 3 seat that will be decided on September 16.

According to his candidate profile, Jenkins enjoys hiking, kayaking, chess, acting, reading, water sports, and traveling. He considers himself a proud man of faith and a dedicated community leader.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Jenkins attended Youngstown State University, where he played football and was part of a National Championship-winning team.

As a young adult, Jenkins moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. He later moved to August, Georgia, to pursue a career in healthcare and has since dedicated the past two decades to direct patient care and healthcare management.

Jenkins says he later developed an interest in real estate and eventually became a licensed agent. As a result, he claims he developed a better understanding of home ownership and the barriers that exist. He went on to pursue a brokerage license and started his own real estate company, where he trained and mentored new agents and created employment opportunities.

“From contact sports, health care, volunteering and Real Estate they all created a sense of discipline and dedication in Mr. Jenkins. They taught him the importance of teamwork, collaboration and being dependable,” reads the candidate profile.

Jenkins says he has dedicated his career to addressing the “everyday challenges of working-class families” and that he is “committed to being an advocate for those fighting for access to education, good paying jobs, and stable communities where everyone can thrive.”

“Grounded in faith and shaped by his own lived experiences, Mr. Jenkins believes real leadership is built on trust, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to the people he serves,” according to the candidate profile.

Jenkins will face off against Mark William Clark, a retiree of the United States Air Force and the National Security Agency, for the District 3 seat. The seat is being vacated by Councilman Jay Musleh, who is retiring after over a decade as a councilman.

Clark shared a similar candidate profile with Ocala-News.com earlier this month.

Ocala’s general election is scheduled for September 16, 2025. Voters will decide the offices of mayor and districts 1, 3, and 5.