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Ingram files for second City Council term; Richardson won’t seek another House bid

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Shakeyla Ingram on Tuesday filed for a second term on the Fayetteville City Council, while Charles Ruppe Smith and Terry Lynn Johnson Sr. filed for the N.C. House District 44 seat currently occupied by Rep. Billy Richardson.

Richardson announced Monday that he will not run for another term.

“It is with mixed emotions that I announce that I will not seek re-election to the North Carolina House of Representatives,” he said in a written statement. “I have been richly blessed by the good citizens of this community when they entrusted me and my family with the awesome responsibility of being one of their voices in Raleigh. Indeed, it has been an opportunity very few get to experience. I will carry each citizen’s trust with me for the rest of my life. Please know it is not lost on me the faith this community has placed in me. I am forever grateful and humbled by it.”

Richardson said his reasons were several and somewhat private, and a matter of putting his family before politics.

“I owe it to my immediate family, who have sacrificed so much for me to be of service for so long,” Richardson said in his statement. “I also owe it to my work family, who also have sacrificed much for my opportunity to serve.’’

“So yes, the time to step down is now.

“Serving Cumberland County means so much to me, but at the end of the day this seat is not my seat, this seat belongs to the people of this county,” Richardson said. “As a true citizen legislature that was meant by our founders to be at its best, that a responsible citizen offers to run and if blessed, serve but 3 to 5 terms and then return home. It is now time for me to come home. I pray I served each of you well.”

Richardson was head of the county legislative delegation that brought $400 million for Cumberland County and neighboring communities as part of the $25.9 billion state budget signed into law in November.

City Council seats

Ingram on Tuesday became the latest City Council member to file for re-election.

“As I pursue re-election, I understand the decision is in the hands of the residents of District 2,” Ingram said. “I consider my time served successful, not only because of what I’ve been able to deliver, but also because of everything I have learned.”

Ingram is one of seven council members seeking to retain their council seats. Chris Davis will not run for his District 6 seat, opting instead to pursue the state House District 45 seat. Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Keefe Jensen is the only council member who has not filed for re-election.

The filing period ends at noon Friday.

Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.

Fayetteville, City Council, N.C. House of Representatives, Billy Richardson, municipal elections, Cumberland County

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