Two More Mobile Council Members Decline To Run For Reelection

AL.com recently reported that Mobile City Council members Bess Rich and John Williams will not seek another term in the August elections. Rich, who was first elected to the District 6 seat in 1993 representing a section of western Mobile, served in the position until 2001 before unsuccessfully running for mayor in 2001. She returned to the council in 2010 and has held the position for a total of 19 years. Williams, District 4 councilman, has represented the southwestern area since 2007. While challengers have begun to emerge in several districts, official qualifying is only open during July 6-20. The council consists of seven members each elected to geographically defined districts. The news follows previous reports of District 1 Councilman Fred Richardson running for mayor instead of another term.