Cynthia Garris, a veteran St. Augustine city commissioner, is on track to make local history as the city's first Black mayor after the qualifying period closed with no opponent in sight. Vice Mayor Barbara Blonder pulled her name from the race and Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline opted not to run again, which leaves Garris unchallenged. With no one left to run against, the mayoral contest will skip the ballot and the job will shift at the commission's first meeting in December.
How the race closed
According to News4JAX, St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections Vicky Oakes has effectively called the race. With no other candidates qualifying, Oakes said Garris "is considered elected" and confirmed that the mayoral race will not appear on the ballot. News4JAX also noted that Garris filed her paperwork after Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline announced she would not seek another term.
Field narrows after withdrawal
Vice Mayor Barbara Blonder had filed to run for mayor but later withdrew, citing family obligations, which cleared the field and left Garris as the lone qualified candidate, the St. Johns Citizen reported. Blonder has said she plans to remain in her current role for the rest of her term.
Garris's record and roots
Cynthia Garris represents District 4 and has spent more than two decades in local government, including 13 years as city staff before being sworn in as commissioner in 2022, according to the City of St. Augustine. Her climb from parking attendant and custodian to a seat on the commission is often cited by supporters as the reason she places such weight on constituent service and outreach.
What she says she'll prioritize
When she launched her mayoral bid, Garris said she would focus on community engagement, greater transparency, and tackling infrastructure and traffic issues tied to tourism. "I think it's important that the people who put us in this seat know that we listen," she told the St. Johns Citizen.
Next steps and what to watch
Because the race will not appear on the ballot, Supervisor Oakes has Garris considered elected and set to take office at the City Commission's first December meeting, according to News4JAX. The commission typically meets in the Alcazar Room at City Hall, 75 King Street, with schedules posted on the City of St. Augustine website.
