Selma Mayor promises 'swift and smooth transfer of office' as he congratulates runoff candidates

Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. said Friday he has “initiated a transition process to ensure a swift and smooth transfer of office" as he congratulated the candidates entering the run-off election for the city’s chief executive.

Johnny Moss III will face Aaron Roper in the Sept. 23 runoff. Perkins missed being the second man in the runoff by 29 votes. Moss led with 1,606 votes.

“While this outcome is not what I had hoped, my decision to seek a fourth term was rooted in a commitment to continue Selma's progress and to establish a transition strategy that would allow our community to build steadily rather than stop and start anew, as we have experienced in the past,” Perkins said in a statement issues Friday afternoon.

Perkins was running for what would have been his fourth term as mayor. He served two terms starting in 2000 and was reelected in 2020. City officials throughout Alabama served five-year terms starting in 2020 so that municipal elections would not occur on the same year as federal elections.

In his concession message, Perkins took the opportunity to list the accomplishments of his time as mayor, during which he said he faced “unprecedented challenges on your behalf.”

He said he reversed a four-decade population decline by bringing 10 new industries to Selma in his first two terms, and in his second term the city faced the COVID-19 pandemic and the January 2023 tornado that struck a third of the city.

“I leave office knowing that our community is rebuilding stronger than before,” Perkins said.

During his third term, “Selma secured more than $152 million in investments focused on infrastructure, housing and youth development,” Perkins said.

Eighty city blocks were paved, and a $40 million high-speed internet expansion is on the way, Perkins said. “These milestones reflect the collective will and dedication of a community determined to rise,” Perkins said. “Selma is positioned better than ever for long-term prosperity.”

Perkins thanked his campaign team, volunteers, supporters “and every citizen I've met along the way.”

“May our city's future be guided by wise and integrous leadership and equitable growth,” Perkins said. “To God Be the Glory.”