Pikeville Mayor Jimmy Carter is not running for reelection.
In an announcement earlier this week, Carter, who first ran for mayor in 2014 and has since been re-elected every term since, said after a discussion with his family over Thanksgiving, he decided it is time to step aside.
He says this allows him to serve his last year without the distraction of campaigning.
And he says the other candidates in the race are highly qualified and capable and the city would be in good hands.
While he did not give a hint about his future plans, Carter says he is excited to see what comes next for Pikeville.