FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Several Fayetteville mayoral candidates have filed to be considered this November, including two prominent Fayetteville figures.
Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan and Experience Fayetteville CEO Molly Rawn filed for candidacy on July 31. Adam Fire Cat and Tom Terminella also filed shortly after.
Jordan officially announced he was planning to seek reelection for the fourth time in January. Since being elected in 2008, Jordan has run for reelection and won each race in 2012, 2016, and 2020.
Before assuming his long-term role as mayor, he was elected to Fayetteville's City Council in 2000 and reelected in 2004.
He said he plans to build upon his last four terms if reelected as mayor this November. Jordan said the "work is too important to stop now."
"Let’s continue our progress — from holistically addressing housing insecurity to expanding our workforce training and childcare assistance programs, and from meeting the community’s public safety needs to modernizing our infrastructure, all while ensuring Fayetteville continues forward with a balanced budget," he said in January.
Rawn, a long-time Arkansas resident, announced her intentions to run for mayor in September 2023.
"I am excited to officially file my candidacy for mayor of Fayetteville," Rawn said. "It's been a long time coming since I announced almost a year ago. I believe it's time for new leadership that is future-focused and ready to address the challenges and opportunities ahead."
As the CEO of Experience Fayetteville, Rawn is responsible for the organization's $6.1 million budget and 21 full-time employees. After a decade with the organization, Rawn said Fayetteville has seen "unprecedented tourism growth."
She also led the creation of the nonprofit organization Downtown Fayetteville Coalition where she currently serves on the board. She also serves on the Northwest Arkansas Tourism Association, Northwest Arkansas Film Commission, Arkansas Hospitality Association's Travel Council, and Arkansas Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus.
Additionally, she was a member of the leadership staff that opened the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville. During her time as director of development communications, she oversaw the "completion of the museum's $28.5 million capital campaign."
If elected, Rawn said she is looking to focus on access, innovation, and partnership.
"My campaign is built on the pillars of access, innovation, and partnership," she said. "I am committed to ensuring that Fayetteville continues to thrive as a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-thinking community through active leadership."
She wants to provide residents with access to affordable housing, quality education, reliable transportation, and city services. Rawn also plans to bridge partnerships between government, local businesses, higher education, and community organizations.
"We need a mayor who is ready to tackle the housing crisis, support local businesses of all sizes, and manage our city's growth in a smart and sustainable way," Rawn said.
Terminella is a long-time Fayetteville resident and real estate developer.
This will be the third election Terminella has challenged Jordan for the mayoral position. When Terminella challenged Jordan in 2016, he earned nearly 30% of the votes. In 2020, he had around 20% of the votes.
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