John Liccione
for Gulfport Mayor

John William Liccione is a dedicated advocate for democracy, equality, and justice, with over four decades of experience in technology, leadership, and public service. A proud father of three children and stepfather to one, John’s life is a testament to resilience, innovation, and a commitment to serving others.

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As a domestic violence survivor and exonerated prisoner, John has faced and overcome profound personal challenges, transforming these experiences into a lifelong mission to fight for justice and equity. Now, as a candidate for Mayor of Gulfport, John is bringing his passion for service and societal problem-solving to the local level, ready to make meaningful changes for the residents, homeowners, and businesses of Gulfport. 

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Read more about John's belief system and stance in his detailed responses to The Leage of Women's Voters Mayoral Candidate Questionaire which you can download here.

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John's Journey to Gulfport

John was born in New Jersey in 1960 and was raised in Staten Island NY then in a tiny Pennsylvania town called New Milford.  John's cat Rigatoni Liccione was born here in Gulfport in 2023, and John adopted him after seeing Rigatoni in a local Next Door ad.  John first fell in love with Gulfport in 2019 when he moved to Redington Shores and  he discovered the electic Gulfport vibe while enjoying wine and cheese and charqueteri in the Village Courtyard at what was then the Vintage Small Bites & Wine Lounge owned by Wendy Ohrlendorf. He moved back down from DC and settled in Gulfport in January of 2023 and began putting down community roots.  John enjoys writing and performing comedic political satire as well as traditional folk, bluegrass, and alt rock and classic soft rock with his acoustic guitar occasionally at the North End Tap House on Tuesday open mic nights. 

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A Proven Track Record of Innovation and Service

John’s professional career is marked by groundbreaking achievements in IT, cybersecurity, and disaster recovery. A decorated USAF and NSA veteran intelligence analyst and linguist with a background in electrical and systems engineering, John has pioneered solutions that have transformed industries and protected national security interests. His extensive experience in disaster recovery directly translates to addressing Gulfport's most urgent needs, especially in the wake of hurricanes, red tide, and other environmental and health emergencies.

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​​​​​​John on the March and His Public Advocacy

As a recent Democratic candidate for Congress in Florida’s 13th Congressional District, John demonstrated his ability to craft policies that benefit all people and small businesses—not just the wealthy and powerful. His commitment to inclusivity, fairness, and results-oriented leadership will be a cornerstone of his work as Mayor.

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