Draft:Kent Guinn
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Last edited by Wq4m820 (talk | contribs) 2 months ago. (Update) |
Kent Guinn | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Ocala, Florida | |
| In office 2011 – December 5, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Randy Ewers |
| Succeeded by | Ben Marciano |
| Member of the Ocala City Council | |
| In office 1999–2011 | |
| Constituency | District 4 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December, 1954 Ocala, Florida, U.S. |
| Party | Republican Party |
| Spouse | Sandra Guinn |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | College of Central Florida Florida State University |
| Occupation | Attorney, politician |
Kent Guinn (born 1954) is an American politician and attorney who served as the mayor of Ocala, Florida, from 2011 to 2023. He previously served on the Ocala City Council for 12 years.
Early life and career
Guinn is a fifth-generation Ocalan. He attended the College of Central Florida and graduated from Florida State University. Prior to entering politics, he worked in retail banking and later in insurance and investment, specializing in business and estate planning.[1]
Political career
City Council
Guinn was elected to the Ocala City Council in 1999, representing District 4. He served three four-year terms.[2] In 2003, as council president, he helped guide the development of Ocala's downtown Master Plan.[3]
Mayor of Ocala
Guinn was first elected mayor in 2011 and re-elected in subsequent elections, serving six two-year terms until December 2023.[2] He did not seek re-election in 2023 and was succeeded by Ben Marciano.[4][5]
During his tenure as mayor, Guinn supported economic development initiatives, including securing an enterprise zone that attracted distribution centers such as FedEx, Amazon, Chewy, and AutoZone.[6][7] He was involved in downtown revitalization efforts, including community charrettes and preservation projects.[8] He also advanced public safety measures, anti-panhandling and open lodging ordinances, and programs addressing homelessness and addiction, such as the Open Arms Village men's residency program.[9]
Guinn served during the COVID-19 pandemic and was involved in local responses.[10][11] Ocala was ranked as the fourth-safest city in the United States by U.S. News & World Report at the end of his term.[12] Guinn was hospitalized for 5 days with Covid.[13]
He contributed to state-level legislation efforts, including laws related to banning synthetic marijuana and addressing fentanyl trafficking.[14]
Post-mayoral activities
After leaving office, Guinn joined The Douglas Law Firm as Director of Governmental Affairs. He serves on the boards of Open Arms Village and Ocala Main Street and is a member of the Florida Public Service Commission Nominating Council.[4]
Controversies
In 2015, Guinn publicly denied any ties to the Ku Klux Klan after his name appeared on a list circulated online. He rejected the allegations at a news conference.[15][16][17]
Personal life
Guinn has been married to his wife Sandra for over 46 years. They have two sons and three grandchildren.[1]
References
- ^ a b "Kent Guinn". Douglas Law Firm. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
- ^ a b writer, Fred Hiers Staff. "Ocala Mayor Guinn will run again; won't go for state House". The Star Banner. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- ^ Hiers, Fred. "Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn seeks fourth term". The Star Banner. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- ^ a b "Kent Guinn reflects on accomplishments, regrets during final day as Ocala mayor". WCJB. December 5, 2023. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
- ^ Medina, Carlos (2021-09-22). "Kent Guinn re-elected Ocala mayor". Ocala Gazette. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- ^ Hiers, Fred. "Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn seeks fourth term". The Star Banner. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- ^ McCool, Jim (2021-08-13). "Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn Running for Re-election". The Floridian. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- ^ Johnson, Danielle. "FedEx Ground hiring 500 part- and full-time package handlers at Ocala hub in commerce park". The Star Banner. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- ^ writer, Susan Latham Carr Staff. "Open Arms Village will help homeless men and women transition to better life". The Star Banner. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- ^ Swope, Kylie (2020-08-10). "Mayor vetoes mask mandate". Ocala Gazette. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- ^ Byrnes, Joe (2020-05-08). "Ocala mayor: Police won't enforce governor's emergency orders". Central Florida Public Media. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- ^ Delamo, Emma (2023-12-05). "Kent Guinn reflects on accomplishments, regrets during final day as Ocala mayor". www.wcjb.com. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- ^ Medina, Carlos (2021-02-01). "After COVID-19 fight, Guinn gains new perspective". Ocala Gazette. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- ^ Hunt, Jennifer (2023-11-08). "County commissioners honor outgoing Ocala Mayor Guinn". Ocala Gazette. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
- ^ "Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn denying KKK ties". News 13. November 2, 2015. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
- ^ "Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn Denies Ku Klux Klan Ties". WUFT. November 2, 2015. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
- ^ Thebault, Reis (2019-04-06). "Mayor announces 'Confederate Memorial Day.' A city council member says it should cost him his job". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
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