Last week, Carrboro Mayor Damon Seils surprised residents by announcing he will not be running for reelection this November, instead stepping down after a single term as mayor. He made that announcement on Wednesday, saying after ten years in elected office, he wanted to refocus on his “personal and professional lives.”

“I’m feeling good about [the decision],” Seils told 97.9 The Hill on Friday. “I spent some weeks with the decision on my mind, just wanted to make sure I was confident about it and feeling good about it — and I am.”

Listen to Seils’ conversation with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey.

Seils is stepping down after just two years as mayor – but he’s been an elected official much longer.

“I just recently celebrated my tenth anniversary on the Town Council, so for me it feels like a good time for that transition to happen,” he said. “I also just recently turned 50, so I’ve spent my entire forties on the Town Council, and all of that coming together makes it feel like a good time to make that shift.”

He said that “shift” wasn’t too far removed from his original plan when he first ran for office a decade ago.

“I was reminiscing with a good friend of mine… about a conversation he and I had back in 2012 [or] 2013,” he said. “I was joking with him then: ‘You know, I’m not going to do this forever, I’ve got a good decade or 12 years in me.'”

Seils’ two years as mayor have been eventful ones — with the COVID pandemic still ongoing, the 203 Project getting underway downtown, the hiring of a new town manager, and a great deal of work to begin implementing a new 20-year comprehensive plan.

And while he’s looking forward to the future, Seils says he still has more than half a year left as mayor — and he’s expecting that time to be productive too.

“I’m ready to spend the next several months working hard for the people of Carrboro, as I’ve tried to do over the past ten years,” he says. “And I’m excited.”

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Incumbents and Foushee Win Carrboro Seats in 2017 Election
Carrboro mayor Lydia Lavelle has been reelected against opponent Mike Benson in this year’s election with 3,196 votes. Lavelle has served as mayor for two terms while Benson formerly owned Carrboro restaurant the Southern Rail. Leading the race for the town’s Board of Alderman was newcomer Barbara Foushee with 3,267 votes, who previously served on […]
Orange County's Trio of Mayors Prepare For New Terms With Towns' Long-Term Futures in Mind
After Tuesday night, each of Orange County's are poised to serve another two years and shared their visions of leading the towns to address both short- and long-term needs.
Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee Launches Re-Election Campaign for 2025
The mayor of Carrboro is officially seeking a second term. Barbara Foushee launched her re-election campaign on Thursday, announcing her bid to lead the town for another two years and continue building upon the work she has helped oversee within the town government. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the Carrboro […]
Orange County's NC Reps, Local Governments React to Anti-Diversity and Equity Measures
As a bill in the North Carolina House aims to ban diversity improvement efforts, local elected officials from Orange County are speaking out.
'How Do We Normalize This Work?': New Segment on DEI Airs on 97.9 The Hill
The Hill launched a weekly segment called "Conversations We Need To Have" featuring different voices and local leaders in the DEI space.
Rep. Robert Reives Talks Kamala Harris, Roy Cooper, and More
NC House Minority Leader and District 54 Representative Robert Reives spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, July 26. He discussed the change at the top of the Democratic ticket for president, telling the story of how he learned the news of Biden stepping down after having his phone on airplane mode for a long flight. He described the feelings of optimism that followed the string of endorsements for Vice President Harris, and talked about what happens next. He discussed Gov. Roy Cooper as a possible Vice President, and more.
'A New Era': Orange County's New Mayors Talk About Their Learning Curves, Communication
The recently-elected mayors of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough sat for a panel and shared how their impressions of the new role.
Carrboro Swears In Mayor Foushee, 2 New Council Members; Sets Special Election for Open Seat
Barbara Foushee was officially sworn into office as Carrboro Mayor, while the town council also welcomed two new members.
2023 Municipal Election Results for Local Races
Tuesday marks Election Day for municipal races across North Carolina. Polls opened at 6:30 a.m. in the state and will close at 7:30 p.m.
'It Feels Like A Good Time': Damon Seils Plans to Step Down as Carrboro Mayor
Speaking with 97.9 The Hill about his decision not to run for reelection as Carrboro Mayor, Damon Seils said he's "feeling good about it."
›