Carolyn Kassel, who had previously announced her candidacy for mayor of Hardeeville, recently withdrew from the race after current Mayor Harry Williams announced he would run for re-election. Kassel, a former City Council member, had initially decided to run for mayor in order to ensure a smooth transition with potential new city council members and a city manager. However, after Williams changed his mind about seeking another term, Kassel made the decision to step down from the race in a show of respect and commitment to her word.
Kassel cited her seven years of experience on the City Council as a reason for initially entering the mayoral race, aiming to provide continuity and historical knowledge to the city leadership. She had informed Williams that she would not run against him if he chose to seek re-election, and had also reached out to local business owners and council members to gauge their interest in running for mayor. Ultimately, after Williams decided to run again, Kassel honored her word and withdrew from the race to support the continuity of the city’s leadership.
During a public comment portion of a City Council meeting, Kassel announced her withdrawal from the mayoral race, accompanied by her husband. She emphasized that their life plans did not involve seeking the position of Mayor of Hardeeville. Despite stepping down from the race, Kassel expressed her commitment to continue supporting the city, its mayor, council, and staff. Following her announcement, Council and Mayor WIlliams gave Kassel a standing ovation as a sign of appreciation before continuing with the meeting.
The filing period for the City of Hardeeville Mayor’s seat and two City Council seats officially opened on August 1st and will run until August 15th. With Kassel’s withdrawal, the candidates for the upcoming election will continue to be determined in the following days as the filing period remains open for potential candidates.
