[citation needed] He then enrolled at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, and eventually graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in public relations.

[6] Ward is married to Gillian Lord, the Associate Dean of the University of Florida's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Ward previously served as the Executive Director of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Foundation, and in several positions at WUFT-TV/FM.

[6] Harvey Ward was elected to district 2 of the Gainesville City Commission in 2017, narrowly avoiding a run-off.

[14] Ward's first election took place in 2014, where he lost to incumbent county commissioner Lee Pinkoson in the Democratic primary.