Aiken Mayor Fred Cavanaugh announced Thursday he would not seek another term as mayor in the November election.
Cavanaugh, alongside his wife, Lee, sat down with the Aiken Standard to announce his retirement after serving Aiken City residents for 30 years as first a City Council member in 1985, then mayor in 1991.
"I'm here to say that I will not seek re-election as mayor in November, and this is not a real surprise. It may be to some people, but it's really not to us (the Cavanaughs) because four years ago when I ran for mayor, Lee didn't want me to do that," Cavanaugh said. "We talked about it, and I said, 'Well, I've got to be doing something I enjoy, and I do enjoy this.' But next term I will not run."
A graduate of Aiken High School, Cavanaugh was elected to City Council in November 1985, then was appointed mayor pro tem in 1987 and elected mayor in 1991.
Cavanaugh said he "greatly appreciates" the time he's spent and the support throughout the years of the Aiken residents and City Council members.
Read Saturday's edition of the Aiken Standard for a sit-down interview with Cavanaugh.
Maayan Schechter is local government reporter with Aiken Standard. Follow her on Twitter @MaayanSchechter.