The candidate field for one of St. Johns County’s most prominent political positions has expanded.
St. Augustine Commissioner Cynthia Garris has announced her candidacy for mayor, emphasizing a leadership approach built on community engagement and transparency.
A native of the Ancient City, Garris began her career as a city parking attendant and later worked as a custodian for the Governor’s House Cultural Center and Police Station.
The first black woman to sit on the City Commission, she brings 27 years of government experience to the race, including a decade at the St. Johns County Clerk of Courts.
Elected Commissioner in 2022, Garris has been a vocal participant in Commission meetings and has advocated for extending public comment time, holding town halls, and developing methods to formally follow up with residents on their concerns.
“I think it’s important that the people who put us in this seat know that we listen,” Garris told The Citizen. “They have a right to go to the Commission for guidance, and when they do, they should be heard.”
Garris said she would focus on local issues including balancing residents’ quality of life with St. Augustine’s tourism-driven economy. She also highlighted infrastructure and traffic concerns tied to the city’s growth.
“You can’t make everyone happy, but you can make a sincere effort to hear them and implement changes that matter,” she said.
Garris said her decades spent inside several of the Old City’s primary civic buildings has familiarized her with St. Augustine’s municipal machinery — and ways to improve it.
Describing her leadership philosophy as informed by experience and faith, Garris said she considers her public service a responsibility. “I’m spiritual; I pray and consider carefully what we vote on. I take it as an honor that people come to me asking me to run,” she said.
A graduate of St. Augustine High School, Garris holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing and a Master’s in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.
She is a mother and grandmother and has volunteered locally, including founding a Women’s Support Group at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center.
When she’s not in the field or in the pews, Garris said she enjoys strolling her hometown and sampling its culinary gems — shouting out Blue Hen as a favorite.
Currently, Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline has not announced whether she will seek reelection. Commissioner
Vice Mayor Barbara Blonder has declared her candidacy, creating a competitive field in one of St. Johns County’s closely watched municipal elections.
