The Buck Stops Here: Kennedy Will Not Seek Re-election in 2019

Garner Election 2019

Apr 18

Written By Staff

April 18, 2019

Buck Kennedy, in a letter to supporters, announced that he will not seek re-election to the Garner Town Council in the 2019 municipal election.

After 4 terms spanning 16 years he wrote, “the time has come…for me to step aside and let fresh faces and new ideas lead the town we all love so dearly.”.

Kennedy thanked his supporters for their faith in him and concluded with a call-to-action: “you must seek out candidates of leadership ability; men and women who will bring new energy and creative ideas to the Council so that the Town of Garner will continue to move forward.”

2019 Election Will Bring an Uncertain Change

The November 5th election will see three of the five council seats and the mayor up for election. After 12 years of no change in town leadership on council or the mayor’s office, 2019 is shaping up to be a year of imminent change.

The passing of Councilman Jackie Johns Sr. on January 6, 2019 during this the last year of his term, along with Kennedy’s decision, ensures that at least two new faces will be on the town council after the election.

Elmo Vance was appointed by the council to fulfill the remainder of John’s term and sworn in on April 16th but there has been no word on whether he or Ken Marshburn will be running to retain their council seats.