Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward Won’t Seek Third Term

March 21, 2018

Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward  announced Wednesday that he would not seek a third term as mayor in 2018 and released the following statement:

Serving as Pensacola’s mayor for the past seven years has been the greatest honor and privilege of my life. I’ve been humbled to lead our city during a truly transformational time and to advocate for Pensacola across the state, throughout the nation, and around the world. My love for this city, for its people, for its families and neighborhoods, knows no bounds.

But I have always believed that the best leaders are not career politicians but citizen servants. True leaders know when to step aside and make way for new voices and new ideas. After reflecting and praying with my family, I have decided not to seek a third term as mayor of Pensacola.

I am proud beyond measure of the remarkable progress our city has made during my time in office. Nearly all of the “20 Solutions” I campaigned on in 2010 have been completed or are in progress. Together, we have watched our downtown undergo a renaissance and become the thriving heart of our region. We’ve worked to create a business-friendly culture and have attracted companies like ST Engineering, Southwest Airlines, UPS, and more. We’ve made our streets safer than ever, with the first murder-free year in nearly three decades last year. And we’ve built invaluable relationships in Tallahassee and Washington that have allowed us to bring a fair share of our tax dollars back here to Pensacola.

Every one of our success has been a team effort, and I want to thank the city council, our great city employees, our business community, my friends, and supporters for everything they’ve done to help make Pensacola the thriving, vibrant city we’ve become. I will leave this job humbled and grateful for the opportunity to have served each of you.

Most of all, I want to thank my wife An, my son Aiden, my parents, and the rest of my family for the sacrifices they have made while allowing me to serve our city. Nothing I have done would have been possible without their love and support.

Each and every day, I have approached this job with one goal: to do the best job I can for the people of this city. For the next nine months, I will continue to do exactly that as I explore ways to best serve the people of Pensacola in the years to come. I am more excited than ever about what the future holds for our city. Together, we have laid a solid foundation for the promise that lies ahead. Pensacola is a city with the wind at its back and our potential is limitless.

Comments

18 Responses to “Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward Won’t Seek Third Term”

  1. Don Neese on March 24th, 2018 10:06 am

    A good mayor??? Really?
    Wasn’t he the mayor who turned the city of 5 flags into the city of 4 flags and one fake.
    Isn’t he the one that pushed for the removal of our city’s historical monuments?
    OR…maybe that was someone else? :)

  2. Higher office goals on March 23rd, 2018 2:59 pm

    I’m sure his decision to not run has something to do with seeking higher office….God help us all if he decides to go that route.

  3. Bill on March 23rd, 2018 9:40 am

    This mayor made it through how I will never know. Hos decision not to run again is the best thing he will ever do for Pensacola I say good bye good riddance and of you truly want to do Pensacola a service LEAVE THE PENSACOLA AREA PERMANENTLY !!!!!!!

  4. j. godwin on March 23rd, 2018 2:26 am

    YEA!!!

  5. db on March 22nd, 2018 12:29 pm

    ***
    “But I have always believed that the best leaders are not career politicians but citizen servants. True leaders know when to step aside and make way for new voices and new ideas”
    ***
    Self promotion, anyone? Good riddance.

  6. anne 1of2 on March 22nd, 2018 11:57 am

    I wish he would announce what he is running for next and where. We all know he has been making trips with one of the top ten in Pensacola. That face at the airport isn’t there for no reason. It is for recognition at a later date.

  7. c on March 22nd, 2018 10:16 am

    Good, can’t wait for the stupid rotating banner ad with his bright shining face to come off the screens at the airport.

  8. ME on March 22nd, 2018 8:39 am

    Pensacola needs a Mayor who will help to build and grow the Port business. The Port is a huge opportunity for jobs and business in Pensacola.

  9. Trocarman on March 22nd, 2018 5:47 am

    Good riddance

  10. bigbill1961 on March 22nd, 2018 2:56 am

    @ J.Larry Seale

    Who is Vince Webb and when did he serve as mayor?

    Maybe you mean Vince Whibbs Sr.

  11. Citizen on March 22nd, 2018 12:09 am

    Can’t vote there … May seem old fashioned but I’d pick Robinson over other guy that just put his hat in the ring simply over the Confederate monuments and City of Five Flag designation. Robinson for new Mayor. Keep the Bay view cross. Pensacola 1558. First City

  12. Nod on March 21st, 2018 11:25 pm

    GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!! GOOD!!!!!! GOOD JOB MAYOR, YOU WILL BE MISSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. SEE YOU AT THE CLUB LATER.

  13. As a Citizen of North West Florida, on March 21st, 2018 9:38 pm

    I visit Pensacola almost every week. I have truly seen a difference in the number of restaurants and other businesses that have decided to make Pensacola a nicer more inviting city.

    You have definitely made a positive difference in Pensacola!

  14. J.Larry Seale on March 21st, 2018 9:32 pm

    Pensacola has not a GOOD mayor since
    Vince Webb………….Nothing really lost……….

  15. Tabby on March 21st, 2018 8:02 pm

    This is the best decision you have made for Pensacola.

  16. Bright future on March 21st, 2018 7:47 pm

    IMO he has done a pretty decent job improving the City of Pensacola and keeping his word on campaign promises. He has also been a big supporter of veterans and veteran’s events..

    He has done a far better job at keeping campaign promises and making this a better place to live than Sheriff Morgan, who also said he would not run for a third term, but here he sits like a political fat cat. Fair winds and following seas Mayor, you have a bright future ahead of you.

  17. barrineau on March 21st, 2018 6:56 pm

    GOOD !

  18. Cheryl Barlow Hicks on March 21st, 2018 5:56 pm

    Mayor, thank you for your service to PNS. I was raised there but have been gone for almost twice as long as I was there.
    I want you to know that I have followed your career, as I am a Certified Municipal Clerk in Alabama and my interest in Pensacola has never wavered.
    Congratulations in your future plains and I know that you and your abilities will be greatly missed in the capacity of Mayor. A Great Mayor is hard to find and I’ll be praying that Pensacola is as fortunate to find a replacement as they have been for the last 7 years.
    GOD Bless you and your family.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News