DECATUR — A Decatur native with a strong business background has announced his campaign to become the River City’s next mayor.

Qualification for municipal offices are June 10-24, 2025 and elections are Aug. 26, 2025.

Business owner Kent Lawrence said in a press release Monday his work experience in the community has prepared him for the role.

“I care about the future of our city and community, and I want to work with members of the city council, our local leaders, and the citizens of our great city,” he said. “My priorities will include recruiting jobs and businesses, supporting our schools, improving roads and infrastructure, increasing public safety, fighting crime by cleaning up our streets, and increasing our police officers and firefighters.

“I view City Hall as the people’s hall, and I will always have an open door for citizens, listening to their concerns and issues. I look forward to hitting the campaign trail over the next year, meeting and talking to the people about my plan for Decatur’s future and why I want to serve as mayor. To me, that answer is simple.”

The owner of TVW Electrical Supply, Lawrence is a member of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, serving on the board and as executive board vice chair of leadership. He has also been a board member of the Greater Morgan County Home Builders Association and served as president of the Entrepreneurial Center. Lawrence also chaired the Board of Zoning Adjustments and is chair of the Planning Commission.

He is a recipient of the Raymond Baker-John Cook-Ralph Jones Small Business Person of the Year Award from the Chamber of Commerce and is a graduate of Leadership Alabama Class XXXIII. His company won the Employee Small Business of the Year Award from the Business Council of Alabama and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama.