Councilman Jared Moore announced at today’s special meeting of the Pensacola City Council that he will not seek re-election next year. Moore is serving in his second term and has been the council president for the past year.
- “I’ve one year left in the term, and I have made a decision that I will not seek reelection at the end of that term,” Moore said. “My wife has been a fantastic support in choosing to pursue this office. My children have been incredibly supportive.”
He teared up while discussing the impact holding office has had on his family. “They go through some difficult things—man, how’d this get emotional? I’m supposed to be the one that show emotions—They get to go through some unique things, standing in the Publix’s grocery line or sitting having breakfast and all of a sudden they’re having conversations they didn’t want to have, but I’m incredibly grateful to them for the way they’ve been so supportive of me in this role.”
Moore added, “But I did want to make that an announcement so that District Four has time to step up and find somebody with competence and character to make sure this city continues on the great trajectory that it’s on. And I wanted to thank all of you for the chance to serve with all of you. Thank you.”
His fellow council members were visibly shocked. Several expressed their appreciation for his leadership.
- Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier said, “I just wanted to say that this year would’ve been incredibly tough for anyone being council president and you did serve it with grace, and I think it honored all of us.”
Mayor D.C. Reeves commented on Moore’s announcement at his weekly press conference.
- “Councilman Moore’s set a standard in this city, and certainly as long as I’ve been in this office as someone that I very much respect, that I feel votes with his convictions and does what’s best for the community and does it in a diplomatic way and in a collaborative way,” said Mayor Reeves.
He added, “I know his focus and my focus will of course be on who would go into district four next year and how we can ensure that district rapport has somewhere close to their representation they’ve had for the last seven years.”
New Council Leadership
Earlier in the meeting, the council elected by acclamation Allison Patton as president and Brahier as vice president.
“I also look forward to this term, really just continuing the work that we have been doing,” Patton said after she took the gavel. “I know we all have our different views, and we don’t always agree, but I will say that I really feel like we are a collaborative body that is actually working as well as we can and for the best interest of our city and our citizens. And I want to just commit that I will continue to lead in that same manner going forward.”
Before the vice president vote, Councilman Delarian Wiggins withdrew his name. “I’m going to step down and allow Councilwoman Brahier to take charge as being the council vice president. I think she has done a tremendous job both her first storm as well as now. And I think she will definitely fit the role as a great vice president.”