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By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer 

PELHAM – Standing alongside his wife, Amanda, and three daughters, Pelham City Council President Maurice Mercer officially announced his candidacy for mayor of Pelham on Monday, Aug. 26, exactly one year away from election day.

“After a lot of deep thought, prayer and discussions with my family, I’m excited to share that, today, I’m officially starting an exploratory committee to consider a run for mayor of Pelham,” Mercer said. “I’ve been reflecting on the direction of our city, and with the support of those closest to me, I feel a calling to serve our community in a bigger way.”

Current Pelham mayor, Gary Waters, was first elected to the position in 2012 and has popularly been reelected three times with his third term closing out after next year’s election. During this latest term, Waters has remained open and adamant that he will not be seeking reelection.

“I’ve always had a wonderful working relationship with our current mayor,” Mercer said. “Not until he gave an indication that he would no longer seek the office did I consider it. I’ve had business owners and residents ask me in the past if I have ever thought of running but at that time, I was just happy being a part of the team. I really believe in teamwork and that no one individual represents the entire city.”

With Waters’ announcement however, Mercer began to explore a potential run and began listening to those who had suggested and inquired about a potential run in the past. Believing this to be an important election, Mercer also made the decision to announce his committee and candidacy earlier than in any of his previous elections.

“One year from today, the voters of Pelham will have the opportunity to shape our city’s future and elect its sixth mayor after our current Mayor retires,” Mercer said. “This is a pivotal moment for our community, and with your input and encouragement, I am committed to working together for a stronger, brighter Pelham.”

Citing his decision to move to Pelham in 2005 as one of the best decisions of his entire life, Mercer married his wife in 2008 and together they have raised their daughters as life-long Pelham residents and have actively lived as servants to the community.

“I personally feel that I come from a servant’s home,” Mercer said. “My mother was a nurse, she served the people in critical condition. My father was military as well as law enforcement. My grandfather was active in the civil rights movement. Service for me comes from home.”

Mercer’s own work in Pelham first began soon after his move to the city, with him having served in the position of neighborhood captain and later as president of his home owners association.

Having first ran an unsuccessful campaign for a Pelham City Council seat in 2008, he successfully won his seat on Place 4 of the council after a runoff election in 2012.

Now readying his run for Mayor in 2025, Mercer plans to focus around the same theme that has always driven his service in Pelham, “Community First.”

“’Community First’ to me represents our public safety and making sure that our streets remain safe and our fire and police services have all the resources they need,” Mercer said. “It means economic development and continuing the work to bring businesses to Pelham. As I am out and meeting people at the chamber meetings and different events, I see that people want to come to Pelham. Looking to continue (this growth) and creating incentives to bring individuals and businesses to Pelham (is crucial).”

Encompassing the elements of maintained and supported public safety services and providing for the economic interest of the city, Mercer’s “Community First” also calls for a continued and active support of Pelham’s school system.

“Making sure that our schools continue to have everything they need to be successful is very important,” Mercer said. “Working with our school board and superintendent, our Council was the one that solidified the one cent (sales tax) that is now dedicated to schools for 30 uninterrupted years,” Mercer said.

The fourth branch of Mercer’s platform is to focus on the community itself.

“It is about creating more opportunities and more events for our community to come together, getting to know each other and continuing to thrive,” Mercer said. “I am excited, and we have come a long way. Pelham is on a great trajectory.”

Looking back on his time with the community, Mercer also views himself as primed for the position with the qualification of experience.

“With 12 years of serving on the City Council, and my involvement with our library board, the Shelby County Chamber, Leadership Shelby County and others, I would like to take the leadership skills that I have and help continue and see Pelham grow,” Mercer said. “I would like to work with the city manager and work with the next Council to continue to make Pelham the best place to live and raise a family. The citizens have always been able to reach out to me in the past with their questions and concerns and that will be no different going forward.”

In discussing his candidacy, Mercer also thanked his family for their support in his decision and for their backing of his many roles in the city of Pelham.

“I think they recognize the importance of giving back and also want to see our community grow,” Mercer said. “I could not do it without their support and I am eternally grateful for that. I only wish my mother was still alive to see it. She remains one of my reasons why—in carrying on her legacy and serving others.”

At this time, Mercer is the first and only member of the Pelham community to announce their candidacy for Pelham’s mayoral office.