‘I am not going to seek reelection’: Trussville mayor announces

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TRUSSVILLE, Ala. – Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat announced during his State of the City address on Thursday that he will not be seeking reelection next year.

According to Chris Basinger of the Trussville Tribune , Choat began his address by recounting a trip he went on recently to Nova Scotia.

"When we got back, I had a clear vision on what next year, this coming year meant. One of the things that did become clear to me was it's time for a change," Choat said. "I am not going to seek reelection next year. It was never my plan to stay here more than two terms, although I love what I do. I love the people I work with, great citizens, but it's time."

"There's leaders, there's always leaders in a community, we've got leaders in this community that will step up and take over and just keep carrying the torch, and that's what I hope they'll do," Choat continued.

"We've got a full year, we've got a lot of challenges before us, we've got a lot of great things in the works, I'm looking forward to that, but I would expect...next October the new incoming mayor will have an opportunity to address you all and I'm sure that it'll be someone that's good and will be a good leader for our city."

"Our work is not done, but I thank you," Choat closed with. "I thank you for the opportunity to do what I've done for what will be nine years, a total of 17 years–two terms on the council and nine years as your mayor. It's been a great honor for me and a privilege and from us, we say thank you."

The current municipal term is five years instead of four years, following the Alabama legislature's decision to add one year to move municipal elections a year away from the 2024 presidential election. The next election for mayor and city council will be in August 2025.

City Councilor Alan Taylor said, "I'll have a lot to say about this mayor at some point but today is not gonna be the day because I can't, but thank you and Jenny for what y'all have done for our city."

Choat ran for mayor eight years ago following two terms on city council. According to the Trussville Tribune, downtown redevelopment was a key issue in that election. With the city council in support, Choat led the transformation of the downtown area and the entertainment district.

Choat is also credited with pushing the Alabama Department of Transportation to complete the greenway project, which had been a decade-long source of frustration for the city.