In 2014, Tallahassee citizens will choose their third “leadership
mayor” since the passage of the 1996 referendum that mandated the direct
election of the city’s top leader. FAMU alumnus Andrew Gillum, who’s served on the
city commission since 2003, is now the early frontrunner to succeed outgoing
Mayor John Marks. His run might open big opportunities for two fellow FAMU
alumni.
Rep. Alan Williams (D-Tallahassee) is coming close to his
eight year term limit in 2016. Even though many of his supporters want him to
continue his service as chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus and House Democratic
Whip, there are others who want him to throw his hat in the ring for Gillum’s
vacant city commission seat.
“As state representative for this area, that’s going to be
my main focus right now. As things move along, we’ll continue to look at the
opportunity that is there as it relates to the city commission,” Williams told
WFSU.
Williams’s exit would from the state House create a pathway
for another Rattler to take the baton to represent FAMU in the lower chamber of
the Florida Legislature. Ramon Alexander, a former FAMU student body president
like Gillum and a former aide to Marks like Williams, has filed to for the
District 8 House seat.
Alexander says he will pull out of the campaign if Williams opts
to seek reelection instead of pursuing the vacant city commission office.
“To be very clear, I will not run against in any way, shape
or form State Representative Alan Williams in 2014,” said Alexander, a former
intern to Rep. Curtis Richardson (Williams’ predecessor).
Gillum and Alexander majored in political science at FAMU
while Williams majored in business administration.