Mayor Evelyn George will not run for re-election

Newton Mayor Evelyn George announced this week she will not be seeking another term, putting an end to her long tenure in city government.

George was elected mayor in November 2023. The tight race was determined by just 13 votes, with George earning 911 votes and council member Randy Ervin earning 898 votes. Lonnie Appleby, who launched his second campaign for mayor after running as a write-in candidate in 2021, received 798 votes.

Prior to her run for mayor, George served the Ward 2 seat on the Newton City Council from 2013 until 2017, and then the at-large seat from 2017 until 2023.

At the conclusion of the July 21 city council meeting, George said she and her husband have been married 43 years and counting. She suggested she is not running for re-election this coming November in order to focus more of her time family while they are still healthy to do so.

“As we were planning our family vacation to Smoky Mountains, we’re like, ‘There are so many other places we want to visit and see,’” George said. “And while we’re still healthy and able to do that, we’ve decided that’s going to be a priority. So, I will not be running for office this fall.”

George said the most important characteristics for anyone wanting to serve as mayor are: open-mindedness, a positive attitude and a willingness to listen to people, especially those that aren’t of the same background. She also said it helps to be someone who strives to be a lifelong learner.

“If someone comes in thinking they have all the answers and they know it, they’ll soon find out that city government is quite different than anything else,” she said.