Mac Watts Says He Won’t Seek Reelection as Mayor

Central Mayor Mac Watts announced today that he will not seek another term as mayor in municipal elections scheduled for next year.  Watts said he wanted to announce his decision now in order to give other candidates the opportunity to run.

Watts was appointed by Gov. Kathleen Blanco as interim mayor in July 2005 and subsequently was elected to two full four-year terms.

Overnight, Central went from an unincorporated community to a city with a population of 27,000, making it the 12th largest city in Louisiana.

Jr. Shelton announced his candidacy earlier.  He narrowly lost to Watts in the 2010 election.