25-06-2025
Pepper enters and then withdraws from mayor's race
Jun. 24—Councilman Hunter Pepper jumped into the mayor's race on the final day of qualifying for the 2025 municipal election, and then dropped out before the race began.
Pepper said in a text message, "Method to the Madness," that he "qualified for mayor to prove a point. Anyone with $50 (or for free) can walk into the clerk's office, 'qualify' for mayor and get 15 minutes of fame..."
Pepper's withdrawal leaves four candidates to replace Mayor Tab Bowling, who chose not to run after two terms. The candidates are Billy Jackson, Kent Lawrence, Butch Matthews and Suzie Wiley.
Announcing last week that he planned to run again, Pepper also pulled out of the District 4 City Council race. In a social media post Tuesday afternoon, he wrote, "Our city needs leadership that i do not have the ability or knowledge to give." Pepper, 23, was 18 when elected.
Candidates who have qualified to represent District 4 in Southwest Decatur are Sarah French, Joshua Horton, Jason Putman, Angie Thom and Pam Werstler.
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