PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Pikeville Mayor Jimmy Carter announced today that he is withdrawing his candidacy for the upcoming non-partisan mayoral election, citing a period of deep reflection with his family over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Carter, who first ran for mayor in 2014 and has since been re-elected every term, filed earlier this month to seek another four years in office. However, after reassessing the needs of the community and his own long-term plans, he says the decision to step aside is the right one.

“Over Thanksgiving, my family and I took time to reflect on the future — both mine and Pikeville’s,” Carter said. “When I filed for re-election, I was unaware that two highly qualified, capable candidates would also step forward. With that knowledge I now am confident that our city is in good hands and there are people stepping up to continue to build on the successes we’ve already seen. This move will allow me to focus — undistracted by a campaign — on the duties of mayor every day throughout 2026. ”

During his tenure, Carter has overseen a period of growth and revitalization in Pikeville, with ongoing emphasis on downtown development, infrastructure improvement, and economic recovery following the region’s loss of coal-related jobs. He reaffirmed that those priorities remain his focus for the rest of his term.

“My commitment to Pikeville hasn’t changed,” he added. “I will continue to work every day on behalf of our citizens. But leadership also means knowing when to step back and make space for the next generation of ideas and energy. I believe this decision is best for Pikeville’s future.”

Carter expressed gratitude to the people of Pikeville for the trust they have placed in him for more than a decade.

“I’m thankful for the support, the encouragement, and the chance to serve. Pikeville is a strong, progressive, resilient community, and I’m excited to see what comes next.