<b>By Lolita Huckaby</b>

Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling, after three terms in office, says he will not seek re-election in November.

Keyserling, who most recently lead the local effort to provide masks for residents against the COVID-19 virus, said he wants to focus his efforts on Reconstruction projects and finish his autobiography.

Keyserling, a former two-term state representative, discussed his decision Monday night during the virtual Beaufort City Council meeting.

“There are times when change is necessary, and I think that this is one of those. We’ve done so much. We’ve accomplished so much. It’s time for me to step aside to something else. I’m not going anywhere. I intend to actually ramp up my energy into my passion, which is social justice and reconstruction. But this is the long way of saying that I will not file to run for re-election,” he said.

Former City Councilman and husband of current Councilwoman Nan Sutton, Mike Sutton, as of press time, is the only candidate to file in the upcoming Beaufort city elections as mayor.

Current council members Nan Sutton and Mike McFee, whose seats are also open this year, have not announced their plans.

Interested candidates have until noon on Aug. 14 to file with the city clerk. Candidates must be residents of the city.

Council and mayoral terms are four years and are non-partisan, city-wide representation.
<p align="right"><i>Lolita Huckaby Watson can be reached at bftbay@gmail.com.</i></p>
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