Gainesville City Commissioner Craig Lowe is the first person to announce his candidacy for the office of mayor of Gainesville.

Lowe, who holds a Master's degree from the University of Florida, has served as a commissioner for six years. He was instrumental in pushing through the city's controversial transgender ordinance in January 2008.

Pegeen Hanrahan has been term limited as Gainesville's mayor, meaning a new mayor will be elected on March 16, 2010.