David Smith is serving his fourth term as Asheboro’s mayor. (Randolph Record file photo)
ASHEBORO – David Smith won’t run for re-election as Asheboro’s mayor next year, so that will mark the end of more than a quarter-century of time as an elected city official.
Smith said Friday he thought it was important to provide plenty of advance notice.
“I wanted to make the announcement far enough out so anyone who wanted to run would be prepared,” he said.
Smith, 71, has won four four-year terms as mayor after serving on city council for 12 years.
He’ll serve through 2025, but doesn’t intend to be on the November 2025 ballot.
Smith said various factors went into his decision.
“It’s not a lifetime position,” he said. “Give someone else a chance.”
He said it might be a good time for a transition to new leadership, calling that a potential benefit for himself and the city. The mayor’s position can take a toll.
“It’s not as much fun as it used to be,” he said. “People criticize everything you do. Maybe I’m getting too thin-skinned.”
Asheboro operations will experience personnel change because city manager John Ogburn will retire early in 2025. Smith said Ogburn’s impact has been special since he moved into the position in 2001.
“I don’t want to spend a whole lot of time without John,” Smith said.
Smith said he intends to stay involved in ways to help the city and Randolph County, but not as an elected official.
“We still got things we want to do (across the next year),” he said.
In 2025, there will be four city council seats on the Asheboro ballot in addition to mayor.
“It will be kind of a free-for-all,” Smith said.
