Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
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The Citizen-Times has details:
Mayor Terry Bellamy said this evening she will not run for a third term in the city’s top job.
She announced her decision on the steps of City Hall at about 5:40 p.m. after giving her annual State of the City address in City Council chambers.
Bellamy, 40, became Asheville’s first African-American mayor when she won the 2005 race and cruised when she ran for re-election in 2009, getting 80 percent of the vote in the general election.
Her popularity then fueled speculation that she would seek higher office, which she did in seeking a seat representing the 10th Congressional District.
But Bellamy got only 34 percent of the vote in city precincts in losing the Democratic Party primary to then-state Rep. Patsy Keever.
Asheville mayor Terry Bellamy will not seek re-election: Select tweets
Storified by · Thu, Feb 28 2013 15:20:58
Bellamy: Happy how Asheville has grown since started on Council in 1999. Invites family to join her. #avlgovDavid Forbes
Terry Bellamy will not seek re-election as Asheville mayor http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20130228/NEWS01/130228021/Bellamy-will-not-seek-re-electionMr. Dixson
Bellamy’s running in 10th district again, says she’s not running for reelection for mayor because she did what she set out to do. #avlgovDavid Forbes
Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy to run again for 10th District congressional seat. http://www.citizen-times.com #avlnewsThomas Fraser
Republican Patrick McHenry has represented the district since 2005. /RT @MarkBarrettACT: Bellamy to run for House 10th. #avlnews #avlgovTim Peck
Bellamy: "Leave city in good state of affairs" Standing ovation. #avlgovDavid Forbes