A long-time Gold Coast local has become the first person to put their hand up to try and unseat Tom Tate at the next Mayoral elections.
Danielle Dunsmore has launched her campaign for the city’s top job, 18 months before locals go to the polls again.
It’s not the first time Dunsmore has challenged for the Mayor’s job after running in 2024.
In that election, she attracted 7.9 per cent of the first preference vote, putting her third behind Tom Tate and Eddy Saroff.
Dunsmore describes herself as an ‘MBA-qualified corporate professional with a diverse background bridging local government, multinational corporations, and small business.”
“The reason I’m running for Mayor is I want to restore integrity, honesty, and transparency and community engagement to our council,’ Dunsmore said.
“I believe all that has gone out the window the last decade, and our lifestyle is being chipped away, little bit by little bit.
“Anyone who has been here more than a couple of years will understand the things that we have lost. We’re losing our community. We’re losing our sense of who we are.”
Dunsmore took the opportunity to take a swipe at incumbent Tom Tate and his swearing at a journalist during a recent media conference, describing it as “an embarrassment for the Gold Coast.”
“I travel for work and…the Gold Coast does not always look good on that international and national stage, especially for business.
“So, I didn’t grow up wanting to be Mayor. If we had a great Mayor, I would not be running.”
Tom Tate had already announced his intention to run for a record fifth term in office.
The next council election will be held on March 25, 2028.
