On June 12, Fayetteville's four-term Mayor, Mitch Colvin, announced that he would not seek re-election. According to a press release, he said, "I'm also looking forward to spending time with my family and working in my business." Colvin was on the record, saying amidst speculation that he would not run, saying, "Assume I'm running until I say otherwise." Once more, he faced the question just a week before his announcement on WIDU radio, and his responses remained consistent and compelling.
The Mayor has the authority to make his own decisions, but was it acceptable for him to lead or mislead his constituents over several months? Clearly, Mayor Colvin understood that his decision to delay announcing his re-election plans significantly narrowed the pool of potential candidates for the mayoral office. While it may be unfair to speculate on motives, the outcomes are undeniable. Some individuals interested in running for the mayor’s office ultimately decided not to enter the race, either out of respect for Colvin or due to concerns about competing against him.
The mayor’s announcement, made less than a month before the filing date period begins on July 7, puts any candidate who is not already campaigning at a significant disadvantage. Organizing a campaign for Mayor of Fayetteville is challenging. Assembling a political machine and acquiring a war chest of at least $60,000 to $80,000 will be difficult unless a candidate is already engaged in the community.
The outcomes remain constant regardless of whether the mayor’s decision was intentional or incidental; the advantage lies with the declared candidates who are already unofficially campaigning for office. Who benefits the most from Colvin's political stalling tactics? Whom do you think he is most eager to assist? District 3 Councilmember Mario Benavente is unequivocally Colvin's greatest adversary. There's no way Colvin would lend a hand to him. Then there's Freddie de la Cruz, a two-time opposition candidate on the ballot. I don't expect he will receive any assistance, either. So, among the leading candidates, the math is easy because there's only one left: Mayor pro temp District 1 Councilmember Kathy Jensen. I heard Colvin on WFNC radio, and while he didn't formally endorse Jensen, he spoke highly of her and emphasized the strength of their working relationship.
Former councilmember Paul Williams has also announced his candidacy, and additional mayoral candidates may emerge before the filing period closes on July 18. This upcoming fall promises to be an incredibly thrilling election season, full of meaningful choices and dynamic candidates that could reshape our future. Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of it!
The actual test for Mayor Colvin is whether he genuinely values spending time with his family and running his business, as he claims, or if he will choose to pursue another political office. The answer will become clear in due time.