JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Artis Gilmore, the Basketball Hall of Famer who built a career on the court and later returned to Jacksonville University, announced Tuesday that he is running for Jacksonville City Council’s At-Large Group Three seat. Gilmore said his priorities include expanding education and special-needs programs, easing living costs for families and older residents, and improving parks and roads. He also called for safer neighborhood parks and streets without blight. In announcing his candidacy, Gilmore connected his campaign to the support he received after coming to Jacksonville from Chipley on a college basketball scholarship. He said his upbringing in a family of 10, with a father who fished for a living and a mother who taught school, shaped his belief in helping neighbors. A Democrat, Gilmore will face Republican Nick Howland. The primary is scheduled for March 2027. Gilmore first became prominent in Jacksonville as a player for Jacksonville University. Known as “The A-Train,” he went on to play for the Kentucky Colonels, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics. He was selected for 11 All-Star teams, won an American Basketball Association championship with the Colonels in 1975 and retired as the NBA’s career leader in field-goal percentage. Since returning to Jacksonville University in 2007, Gilmore has served as a special assistant to the university president and as a radio color commentator for Dolphins broadcasts.