FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) — In a surprise move, Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin announced Monday that he will run for a fifth term, reversing a decision he made just last month to step away from elected office at the end of his current term.
Colvin, the city’s longest-serving Black mayor, filed to run on Friday just before the filing deadline, but made the formal announcement during a news conference outside City Hall on Monday. His decision comes amid a crowded mayoral race that now includes 10 candidates – four of whom serve on the Fayetteville City Council.
“Particularly as many council members have filed to run for mayor, which undoubtedly will shake up the face of our city’s leadership, especially at a time when important rights and resources are being taken away from the federal level,” Colvin said. “It became clear that we needed stable, proven leadership at this time.”
Colvin said several factors influenced his change of heart, including messages of support from people in the community and concerns about widespread leadership turnover across key institutions in the Fayetteville area, including the sheriff’s office, police department, and school system.
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Colvin has served 12 years on the City Council: two representing District 3, one as Mayor Pro Tem, and the past four as Mayor. He was first elected mayor in 2017.
In addition to Colvin, three sitting council members have filed to run:
Several former council members and former candidates have also entered the race, including:
ABC11 will continue to cover this race as it unfolds and is actively working to connect with each candidate to learn more about their platforms and vision for America’s Can Do City.
