Watkinsville City Councilman Brian Brodrick, acting mayor since this month’s resignation of former Mayor Bob Smith, says he will be a candidate in an election set for June 15. Brodrick says he will run to fill the unexpired term of the former Oconee County state Representative, who resigned a little more than a year after winning the office by just two votes in a race against former Mayor Dave Shearon. Brodrick’s decision to seek the Mayor’s office will necessitate another election, also on June 15, to fill his vacant seat on the City Council in Watkinsville.

From Brian Brodrick’s Facebook page…

We formally called for a special election on June 15 to fill the unexpired term of former Mayor Bob Smith after his resignation last week. I announced tonight that I will run to fill the remaining term (through mid-January) and was asked by council to continue to serve as acting mayor through June.

That decision means that my former seat, Post 1, will be open for the first time in 17 years.... there will be a special election for that seat on June 15 as well, and then whoever wins will have to run again in November for the next regular term.

Thanks to all who have offered encouragement and prayers as I have considered this decision. During my brief remarks, I shared how impressed I have already been with our staff and their focus on serving the citizens of Watkinsville, shared details on several exciting upcoming events in Watkinsville (hint: egg hunts, fishing with the WPD, and a mass vaccination event all coming soon), and reminded everyone of what a tremendously exciting time it is to live and serve in Watkinsville. I restated my personal commitment to honoring our city values of efficiency, transparency, inclusivity, creativity, kindness and connectivity as I lead the council through June and hopefully through the end of the year.

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