John Gunter

Key facts about Mayor John Gunter

Political career: Gunter’s history in Cape Coral politics includes serving as a District 1 Councilmember starting in 2017.

Professional background: He is the president of Gulf Coast Premier Homes, Inc.

Recent activities:

Recall attempt: In mid-2025, a petition was launched to recall Mayor Gunter, but the effort was ultimately unsuccessful as organizers failed to gather enough signatures.

Promoting a new hospital: Gunter has advocated for the construction of a second full-service hospital in the city to address the needs of Cape Coral’s growing population.

State recognition: The Florida League of Cities awarded him the Home Rule Hero Award in 2024 for his advocacy during the legislative session.

Leadership appointments: In July 2025, he was appointed President of the Southwest Florida League of Cities.

Several recent controversies involving Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter

Several recent controversies involving Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter and the city council have drawn significant public criticism, including a recall effort in mid-2025 that ultimately failed

Key issues include accusations of racism and anti-LGBTQ+ bias from a former city manager, a lawsuit alleging violation of a resident’s civil rights, changes to the public comment policy, and controversial development decisions. 

Failed 2025 Mayor John Gunter Recall Effort

In May 2025, a committee of Cape Coral voters announced a recall campaign against Gunter and other city council members. They accused Gunter of misrepresentation, a lack of transparency, and voting “against the people”. The recall petition cited specific grievances: 

• Controversial stipends: Approving significant pay raises for city council members and the mayor in late 2024. These stipends were rescinded following a major public backlash and new council elections.
• Jaycee Park renovation: Supporting a controversial plan to redevelop Jaycee Park, which some residents felt went against its original purpose as a public open space.
• Yellow Fever Creek Preserve: Approving the use of land designated for conservation for a city water facility. 

Despite the effort, organizers announced in June 2025 that they did not collect enough signatures to proceed with the recall. Gunter publicly defended his record, stating that while some votes were unpopular, he never acted illegally or unethically. 

Lawsuit for unlawful arrest

In July 2024, the City of Cape Coral paid $100,000 to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit that named Mayor Gunter. 

• The lawsuit was filed by resident Scott Kempe, who alleged he was unlawfully arrested for attempting to attend a city council meeting after being ejected from a previous one.
• The suit claimed the arrest was an attempt to silence Kempe’s criticism of the city’s handling of Jaycee Park.
• While the settlement resolved the lawsuit, it required no admission of wrongdoing from the city or Gunter. 

Allegations of racist and anti-LGBTQ+ conduct

In early 2023, former City Manager Rob Hernandez was fired by the city council. Following his termination, Hernandez filed a federal lawsuit alleging that some council members, including Mayor Gunter, displayed racist and anti-LGBTQ+ bias. 

• The lawsuit claimed council members objected to Hernandez’s hiring of LGBTQ+ employees and donations to PRIDE Cape Coral, and questioned the hiring of a Black female economic development officer based on racial stereotypes.
• An independent investigation commissioned by the city in May 2023 found the allegations “unsubstantiated,” though Hernandez did not participate.
• The city and Hernandez settled the lawsuit in September 2025 for an undisclosed amount, with the city denying wrongdoing. 

Changes to the Cape Coral public comment policy

In 2025, residents clashed with the city council over a policy change that moved the public comment period to the end of meetings. 

• Critics argued the move was designed to minimize citizen input, particularly on controversial items voted on earlier in the agenda.
• Legal experts clarified that while the move did not violate Florida’s Sunshine Law, it faced public backlash.
• Despite the outcry, the council voted in July 2025 to keep the policy.

The City of Cape Coral paid resident Scott Kempe $100,000 to settle a civil rights lawsuit after he was repeatedly removed from City Council meetings for protesting silently by sitting backward in his chair

The charges against Kempe were ultimately dismissed, and the city’s insurance provider paid the settlement. 

The Cape Coral City Council Incident

• Protest: In October 2023, Kempe turned his back on the dais during a council meeting to protest the handling of public feedback on a proposed change to Jaycee Park.
• Removal: After refusing Mayor John Gunter’s request to turn around, Kempe was escorted from the meeting.
• Subsequent bans and arrest: Kempe was then blocked from attending two later council meetings, citing a city rule that banned ousted attendees from returning unless approved by the council. When he protested the rule at a December meeting, he was arrested and charged with trespassing and resisting an officer.
• Dismissed charges: The charges against Kempe were dismissed in January 2024 for “insufficient evidence”. 

The lawsuit and settlement

• Federal lawsuit: Kempe filed a federal lawsuit against the city, Mayor John Gunter, and city council members in March 2024, alleging his First and Fourth Amendment rights had been violated. He asserted that his silent, symbolic protest was protected speech.
• Settlement reached: The city settled the case in August 2024 for $100,000 to avoid prolonged litigation. The payment was made by the city’s insurance, the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust, and was not an admission of wrongdoing. 

Policy changes

Following the incident, the city changed its rules regarding meeting decorum and bans. 

• Revised rules: In February 2024, new rules were put in place that allow for tiered meeting bans for disruptive behavior, starting with 30 days for a first offense.
• Ongoing legal challenge: However, a different resident later filed a new lawsuit challenging the revised ban policy, which was called “excessive” by the First Amendment Foundation.

Alleged Tax Evasion

Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter has been accused of tax evasion on a luxury boat by a local watchdog group. In October 2025, the group “Take Out The Trash” alleged that Gunter bought a boat that was not registered in Florida and subsequently did not pay the required taxes, instead keeping it docked at his home. Mayor Gunter has denied these allegations, calling them “spurious” and “politically motivated,” and provided a dealer’s sales tax statement as proof of payment. The group has called for an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the mayor has stated he welcomes one. No investigation has been formally confirmed, and the mayor has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing. 

Cape Coral mayor John Gunter accused of tax evasion on luxury boat. Video Courtesy of Gulf Coast News

Key details of the allegation and response:

• The accusation: “Take Out The Trash” alleges that Gunter avoided paying sales tax on a luxury boat by not registering it in Florida.
• The state tax: Florida has a luxury tax cap of $18,000 on such items.
• Gunter’s defense: The mayor stated the accusation is politically motivated and provided a sales tax statement dated 2023, claiming the $18,000 tax was paid.
• Watchdog’s response: The group noted that information on sales tax returns is confidential, meaning the document provided by Gunter could not be verified by the Florida Department of Revenue. The form would have been filed with the Lee County Tax Collector.
• Status: As of October 2025, no formal investigation had been confirmed. In the U.S., a person is innocent until proven guilty, and the mayor has not been found guilty of anything.

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