Alachua County Commissioner Rodney Long says he won’t be seeking re-election to the seat he’s held for three terms. Long was first elected to the county commission in 2000. Before that he served two terms on the Gainesville City Commission.
Long’s seat is one of three that will be on the ballot next year. Commissioners Paula Delaney and Mike Byerly will also be on the ballot, should they choose to run for re-election.
In recent years Long has had his share of controversy. He has had public financial problems aired, specifically a credit card debt that at one time was $17,000; been investigated—and cleared—for a loan from the Florida Black Business Support Corporation that provides special loans; and worked as a realtor to sell Mom’s Kitchen to the city of Gainesville for $165,000. Long received a commission of more than $16,000 for that work.
In an email, Long says he will be supporting State Representative Chuck Chestnut for his county commission seat, and says former Alachua City Manager Clovis Watson will in turn be running for Chestnut’s House district 23 seat.
Long says he will have more to say on Wednesday about the decision to not seek re-election.