Selma mayoral election 2025: Havard Spencer announces candidacy

Havard Spencer came to Selma six years ago to restore a historic home. 

Now he says he wants to restore the entire city as its mayor. 

Spencer is running for mayor for the second time. In 2020 he came in fifth out of 12 candidates, but he said that doesn’t bother him. He said in Louisiana where he grew up, candidates run the first time just to get to know people. 

“I cannot wait to express my ideas and explain the solutions (platforms) I have been working on for the last five years,” Spencer said. “I know one thing. I will not sue the city council just to get my way. I will spend the tax money collected and fix the sewer, streets and storm drains. ‘I'll fix it’ is my motto.”

So far, Spencer is the first to announce candidacy for Mayor of Selma in the 2025 election that will be held in August along with city council seats. Many municipal elections were moved to 2025 from the previous year to not coincide with the federal election cycle.

Spencer said he has a plan to “repair Selma.” 

First, Spencer said he would serve as mayor for free. He would also push to create the position of city manager, an unelected administrator who would handle the day-to-day operations of the city. 

Spencer said he would improve the Selma Police Department’s ability to collect fines by creating an impound lot to hold the cars of violators who don’t pay their fines. “This happens in most towns and cities,” Spencer said. 

Building owners will be held responsible for repairing their deteriorating buildings or face fines if Spencer is elected. He also said the city should not accept donated buildings that are in poor condition. 

If elected, Spencer said he would authorize regular audits and post the city’s budget in the local newspapers. “You basically have to attend a city council meeting to acquire the information,” Spencer said. “More transparency for the people.”  

Spencer said he would enhance parks and recreation, which he said has “been minimal these last two mayor terms. “We need activities to give our children a chance to enjoy sports in Selma,” Spencer said.

He said he would help fund parks and recreation by reducing the number of department head positions. “Let’s cut director positions that don’t help the citizens,” Spencer said. He said there are too many positions, and the salaries are too high for what they do. Some directors are political appointees who are unqualified to do their jobs, he said. 

Spencer moved to Selma because he and his wife wanted to restore an historic home. They brought the Henderson House in downtown Selma back to life, only to have it damaged in the January 2023 tornado. He has since moved his mother to Selma. 

During the public comment portion of the Selma City Council meeting, Spencer often presents concerns about spending and infrastructure issues.

Spencer was a health care administrator for 35 years with Marriott Hotels Senior Living and then as a consultant. He and his wife owned a wastewater treatment plant in suburban Atlanta for several years, and he owned several restaurants.  

“Just remember, when we elect a mayor, make sure it’s someone that has experience and knowledge about keeping Selma citizens safe and help repair the city,” Spencer said. “Other towns keep growing. We need to keep up. Repair Selma.” 

Candidates running for municipal offices in the August election can share campaign information like this by emailing platform details to news@blackbeltnewsnetwork.com