JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Artis Gilmore, a Basketball Hall of Famer and Jacksonville University administrator, announced Tuesday his candidacy for Jacksonville City Council, At-Large Group Three.
In a news release, Gilmore said his platform will be focused on expanding educational and special needs programs, lowering living costs for families and seniors, and improving city park and road infrastructure.
Gilmore first rose to prominence in Jacksonville as a collegiate basketball player for Jacksonville University. Known by the nickname “The A-Train,” he went on to play professionally for the Kentucky Colonels, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics, earning 11 All-Star selections, winning the 1975 American Basketball Association championship and retiring as the NBA’s career leader in field goal percentage.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
Since returning to Jacksonville University in 2007, Gilmore has served as a special assistant to the university president and as a color commentator for Dolphins radio broadcasts on WJXL.
“Jacksonville gave a kid from Chipley a scholarship, an education and a home, and I’ve spent my life trying to pay that forward,” Gilmore said. “I grew up one of ten children. My father fished for a living and my mother was a teacher, and they taught me that you show up for your neighbors. That’s what I will do on the City Council. Every child in this city deserves the chance to finish their education, including our children and adults with special needs. And every family deserves a neighborhood with safe parks, good roads and streets free of blight.”
Gilmore, a Democrat, will run against Republican Nick Howland. The primary election is scheduled for March 2027.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.