James Bray was officially moved up from a member of the Albany City Council to the city’s highest office of Mayor of Albany following a vote taken among council members at the City Council’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday, January 2.
Bray will fill the seat held by Steve Lawson, who officially resigned the position effective at midnight on Tuesday, January 2, after serving just one year of a four-year term.
Lawson, who has also served several terms as city councilman, cited health issues as his primary reason for leaving the post.
At the council meeting on Tuesday, Councilman Randy Speck chaired the session in Lawson’s absence and read aloud to those present the mayor’s resignation letter, which had been given to Albany City Clerk/Treasurer Melissa Smith.
(A full article on the resignation letter and letter from the former mayor to the residents of Albany can be found beginning on page 1.)
Councilwoman Renee York then made a motion to appoint Speck as mayor until the next election, in which a permanent replacement will be elected. However, the motion failed due to the lack of a second.
Councilman Reed Sloan then made a motion to appoint James Bray to fill the mayoral position through the period, which was seconded by Councilman Junior Gregory.
On a roll call vote, Sloan, Gregory and Councilman Tim Norris voted in favor of appointing Bray, with Councilwoman York voting no. Neither Speck nor Bray, who were nominated, cast votes and the motion to appoint Bray passed 3-1.
Bray, who was one of four new council members elected in November 2022, the same year Lawson was elected Mayor, will fill the seat through the November General Election, when a permanent mayor to fill out the final years of the overall four year term will be elected.
The new mayor had also served some years ago on the city council, prior to being elected again in 2022.
Mayors are elected for four year terms, while city council members are elected for two year terms in even election years. They are elected on a non-partisan basis, meaning they do not have to seek election in a primary race.
Meanwhile, the council will now have to go through a “nominating” process to be selected by the council to find someone to fill the council seat that will be left vacant by Bray’s mayoral appointment. The process of nominating candidates for the vacancy is expected to begin soon.
In 2024, not only will all six city council seats be up for election, but the office of Mayor of Albany will also be on the ballot in all city voting precincts.
It was also noted that the local County Clerk’s Office and Secretary of State in Frankfort will have to be notified of the need for a mayor’s special election in November.
Non-partisan candidates do not begin filing until early summer to have their names placed on the November General Election ballot.