Jr. Shelton Won’t Seek Mayor’s Post, Cites Obligations

CENTRAL — Local realtor Jr. Shelton, who narrowly lost a bid for mayor of the City of Central in 2010, announced Wednesday that he will not seek the post in municipal elections next spring.

Shelton, who received 48 percent against incumbent Mayor Mac Watts, was considered a strong candidate for the post.  Shelton’s announcement was a surprise to many who were hoping to support him.

However, Shelton, who serves as Republican chairman for Central, said his real estate business is going well and he could not afford to give it up and support his family on the Mayor’s $55,000-a-year salary.  “As much as I would like to serve the people of Central in this way, it is simply not financially feasible for my family.  We have a cost of living that cannot be met on that salary.”

Shelton said that while the Mayor can have outside employment, he did not want to create a situation where the city’s business would suffer because he had to meet with a real estate client.

Shelton did not rule out the possibility of seeking a seat on the Central City Council.

In the Mayor’s race in March 2010, Watts received 4,183 votes,  or 52 percent, while Shelton received 3,877 votes, or 48 percent.