Gainesville’s first openly gay mayor Craig Lowe dead at 65

Craig Lowe, Gainesville’s first openly gay mayor and a local leader for human rights, was found dead Saturday morning. He was 65.

Word of Lowe’s untimely death spread quickly around town over the weekend, with former colleagues and friends sharing their fondest memories of the former elected official.

“There are few people in Gainesville who were stronger, more thoughtful advocates for a difficult cause than Craig Lowe,” said former mayor Pegeen Hanrahan, who served with Lowe for two terms and preceded his time as mayor. “Craig was prepared, hardworking, strategic and understood how to get things done.”

Lowe spent much of his early life in the Atlanta region. He attended the University of Georgia where he earned a degree in soil science.

In 1982, he moved to Gainesville and began attending the University of Florida, earning a master’s degree in zoology.

Lowe was first elected to the Gainesville City Commission for District 4 in 2003. His district covered parts of east Gainesville, the UF campus and downtown.

“When Craig first told me he wanted to run for office, I was surprised, because he didn’t like the spotlight, or want to draw attention to himself. He just wanted to make Gainesville a better place,” said Jeanna Mastrodicasa, who also shared the dais with Lowe. “But we are a richer community because he stepped out of his comfort zone to serve our city. Running and serving as an out gay man was a very brave thing to do, and he put up with a lot of hassle during his public service.”

Those who worked with Lowe credit his handling of controversial subjects, such as anti-Muslim rhetoric. He served as president of the Human Rights Council of North Central Florida, where he further advocated for the LGBTQ community.

To Lowe, it wasn’t an issue of debate. It always came down to a matter of what was right.

“Craig had a brilliant and creative mind, and was one of the kindest, gentlest souls I’ve known,” said Bob Karp, a longtime friend and ally. “We worked on many campaigns and community causes together and he was always one you could count on to stay the course on any difficult task.”

Lowe was elected as mayor in 2010. As part of his LGBTQ activism during that time, he was proactive about ensuring gay and transgender individuals had equal opportunities for employment, housing and other public accommodations.

He was active about transportation issues, bike safety, downtown development and a supporter of the Alachua County and UF library systems. He was an environmentalist and widely seen as a driving force behind the city’s efforts on energy conservation and renewable energy, efforts that still have a ripple effect today more than a decade after his time in office ended.

“Craig Lowe was one of the smartest policy minds the city has ever had,” said Lauren Poe, also a former Gainesville mayor who served with Lowe. “He was humble and always focused on how to help the most vulnerable. Our community is so much better for his service.”

“Craig Lowe was a dedicated, progressive public servant, and he loved this city and the people who live here,” Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward said. “When I first ran for office I asked Craig for advice, and I always appreciated his counsel.”

In 2013, Lowe faced a contentious reelection campaign against Ed Braddy. The two entered into a runoff.

But in the days leading up to the election, Lowe was arrested and charged with a DUI that caused property damage. He told deputies that he had been drinking and fell asleep at the wheel just before crashing his car.

The arrest made headlines statewide and ultimately cost Lowe his reelection campaign.

Following his time in office, Lowe largely disappeared from the public spotlight. Friends say he kept to himself but was still quietly engaged with local issues, politics and, of course, LGBTQ rights.

Lowe never married and didn’t have children. He is survived by his brother, Allan, and close friends.

“He was an introvert at heart, and public life was very difficult for him at times,” Hanrahan said. “But he always managed to remain friendly, warm and professional. He will be deeply missed.”

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville’s 1st openly gay mayor Craig Lowe remembered for advocacy