TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Another candidate has filed to run for mayor of Tallahassee.
Carrie Litherland announced that she filed to run for mayor on Friday.
The Tallahassee native, mother and mental health advocate says that she isn't a career politician, "just a mom who loves this city."
“I grew up here, I went to college here and I plan to raise my daughter here. However, the Tallahassee that I know and love is changing quickly and many of the amazing attributes this city possesses are disappearing. The bricks, trees and charm that fill this beautiful city are being replaced," said Litherland. "It feels like we are losing the soul of Tallahassee and I can’t sit by as the city continues to develop without the concerns of our community being heard.”
While Litherland says her daughter inspires her to run for office, it's the community that motivates her.
"It is important that as we continue to grow, we don’t lose sight of what makes us special," said Litherland. "Watching strong women like Gwen Graham and State Senator Lauren Book making positive change and advocating for their communities while raising families made me realize that I CAN do this; I MUST do this for my city.”
Her father was diagnosed with a mental illness in 2015, which kick-started her path as a mental health advocate. As part of her experience, she began noticing a lack of community resources available for those in need.
This inspired her to advocate other critical needs in the community is well.
"I am excited about the opportunity to really engage with my community and create policies that reflect the best interests of all of us in Tallahassee," said Litherland. "Because that’s what neighbors do, we look out for each other."
She says, she plans to work closely with the Urban Forest Master Plan. She wants to ensure the voices of our community are heard and not silenced by outside developers.
Litherland's goal is to push for economic development that protects the soul of Tallahassee such as its canopy roads, live oaks, and rich green neighborhoods.
She says, she also wants to make our roadways green by implementing an electric bus system and working with airport officials to get direct flights to and from Tallahassee.
Litherland will run against Mayor Gillum's former Chief of Staff Dustin Daniels, County Commissioner John Dailey and military veterans Erik David and Joe West.
Litherland will be going door-to-door over the next week trying to get 1,500 signatures backing her to be in the mayoral campaign. May 21 is the deadline she needs to meet.
To learn more about Litherland click here.
