Politics Watch — September 15, 2009
Jerry Wade announces candidacy for mayor
Fourth Ward Councilman Jerry Wade said, in an e-mail early Tuesday, he is running for mayor of Columbia in April 2010.
"I believe I have the qualifications and ability to be a good mayor and I want to continue my community service to Columbia," Wade said in the e-mail.
Mayor Darwin Hindman, Columbia's longest serving mayor, said in August he would not seek re-election in April. Wade, with his term as councilman expiring this same year, was seen as a likely Candidate.
According to previous Maneater reports, Wade would not say whether he was running until he and his family had fully thought out the decision. Wade said he decided to announce his decision now to put an end to speculation.
"This gives plenty of time for interested people in the Fourth Ward to consider running and hopefully we will have a slate of excellent candidates," he said.
Wade will hold an extended set of office hours at the Rendezvous coffeehouse Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon so constituents can talk to him about his decision.
