Mississippi: Long-serving gay Republican mayor to step down
A gay Republican Mississippi mayor says he will not seek re-election this year, ending a 16-year run as head of what has become during his tenure Mississippi’s third-largest city.
Southaven Mayor Greg Davis said in a statement released Thursday that he reached the decision after talking with his partner and family, the Associated Press reports.
The 46-year-old, who admitted he was gay more than a year ago, cited a long list of accomplishments during his tenure in the release.
He did not mention his current legal problems as a factor.
State Auditor Stacey Pickering has ordered Mayor Davis to repay more than $170,000 (£106.320) including penalties and interest that Mr Pickering said was misspent from city funds.
Mayor Davis was indicted in December on state charges of making false statements related to a car purchase, city gas and a check from a city account.
He will leave office in July.
