Press Release: Mayor Ashton Hayward Announces Support for Brian Spencer to Succeed Him as Pensacola’s Next Mayor
PENSACOLA, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2018) – Mayoral candidate City Councilman Brian Spencer has received the endorsement of Pensacola’s current mayor, Ashton Hayward. Hayward announced in March that he would not be seeking re-election, saying, “I have decided not to seek a third term as mayor of Pensacola. We’ve made remarkable progress over the past seven years and we need to continue the momentum.†Today he announced that he is supporting Brian Spencer to succeed him as Pensacola’s next mayor.
Ashton Hayward was elected in 2010, the first Pensacola mayor to be elected after the city passed a new charter forming a “strong mayor†form of government in 2009. Since taking office Hayward has focused largely on urban redevelopment and bringing new and high-paying jobs to Pensacola. “Pensacola—all of Pensacola—has benefited from Brian Spencer’s well-informed, pragmatic solutions, many of which began even before he was elected to City Council,†said Hayward. “He is a strategic planner who works effectively with City staff, has a strong grasp of our infrastructure and budget and shows a genuine respect for the opinions of others. Brian Spencer is the candidate who will deliver on his commitments to attract better-paying jobs and create safer neighborhoods. Brian is a proven business leader and a visionary. Our city needs him, and that’s why I’m supporting Brian Spencer as Pensacola’s next mayor.â€
“With sincere gratitude, I wish to thank Mayor Hayward for his endorsement,†said Spencer. “Ashton Hayward is a passionate and committed mayor whose work has resulted in a more vibrant Pensacola. He has created new jobs and forged important relationships for the benefit of our city. I appreciate his confidence in me as the best candidate and I look forward to building a strong and unified partnership with City Council, City staff and the community to move Pensacola forward with solid solutions for generating good jobs, creating safer neighborhoods and making Pensacola a great place to live, work and raise a family.â€
Mayor Hayward’s endorsement is the latest addition to a long list of endorsements for Brian Spencer, who has served on the Pensacola City Council, representing District 6, since 2010. A professional architect, his work has helped bring national recognition to Pensacola, including his revitalization efforts along Palafox Street, which was named one of America’s “Ten Great Streets.†Spencer served as city council president as well as chair of the Community Redevelopment Agency and chair of the Eastside Redevelopment Board. Additionally, Spencer served as a Trustee of the Community Maritime Park Board and member of the Downtown Improvement Board and Gateway Review Board. He was appointed to the Escambia County Tourist Development Council and the Florida-Alabama Transportation and Planning Organization and is a founding member of Project Greenshores. “Each of these experiences has sharpened my understanding of the important issues facing our city,†said Spencer.
