Thayer Spencer withdraws from Selma mayor race

Thayer Havard Spencer has withdrawn from the race for mayor of Selma.

In a statement, Spencer said he asked Selma City Clerk Ivy Harrison to remove his name from the ballot. Harrison confirmed that Spencer has withdrawn from the race.

Spencer said he is throwing his support to Johnny E. “Skip” Moss III.

“After meeting with Mr. Skip Moss and reviewing his platforms, especially about accountability for the monies collected (from) the taxpayers and how the current executive branch has not been forthright exposing all expenditures to the city council, I felt his ideas and motives were aligned with my ideas of the city,” Spencer said in his statement.

Spencer called for new leadership for Selma, citing issues with management of the landfill and illegal gambling under the current administration.

Although he’s withdrawn from the mayor’s race, Spencer, who often appears at the public comment portion of the Selma City Council meetings, said elected officials aren’t shed of him yet.

“My involvement with the city council members will still be highly motivated in keeping the city budget and some of its improper and wasted spending,” Spencer said. “The city has potential, and steering Selma in the right direction will make us unified and hopefully prosperous. It’s not working at this point. It’s a Duck Tape town!”

Candidates still running for mayor of Selma are Rev. Jarmal J. Sanders, Attorney Michael Jackson, Ronita R. Wade, Aaron Roper, Johnny E. Moss III, Mayor James Perkins Jr. and Temekia Sykes. George McDonald qualified to run for mayor but withdrew his name on June 27.  

The election is Aug. 26.