Pastor Richard Hayes announced he is running for Hinesville District 2 City Council seat Sunday at his home. Hayes was surrounded friends and family when he made the announcement.

“It’s not a surprise that he is running and is very exciting,” Hayes’ sister-in-law Nicole Hayes said. “I’ve known him for almost 20 years and he is all about the community and pushing it forward.”

Hayes was born in Frankfurt, Germany and raised in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. After graduating high school he joined the military and served for 10 years working as an Air Traffic Control Specialist. He eventually settled in Hinesville where he has continued working for the Department of Defense as an Air Traffic Controller.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing and he’ll be a blessing to the city,” Pastor Antoine Shaw said. “I think he’ll do really well.”

According to the Hayes for Hinesville website, Hayes’ platform is focused on making District 2 a safe, productive place where all feel welcomed, and where healthy families and healthy business practices don’t cancel one another out.

His platform also includes equitable business practices, fair housing practices, youth engagement and leadership development.

“I am uniquely qualified and have experienced ‘both sides of the aisle’ as a citizen, a soldier, and a community leader,” Hayes said during his speech. “As your city councilman, I would make it a place where the voices of the people are clearly heard and decisions are made without favor or bias. I’ll bring with me experience, compassion, and integrity.”

 Currently serving in the District 2 seat is Councilman Jason Floyd. He has served as a Hinesville City Council Member since 2010 and is seeking re-election in 2020.

“I would like to continue pushing District 2 forward and appreciate all the thanks and prayers,” Floyd said.

On March 19, the city of Hinesville will host a special election for the vacant District 5 City Council seat. There are six candidates who pre-qualified two weeks ago for the seat. All Hinesville city council seats and the mayor’s seat will be decided in the Nov. 5 general election.

As for Hayes, he said he is excited to finally announce his run for the District 2 seat and is looking ahead.

“It feels great to announce the launch,” Hayes said. “We have a great team and great foundation that is looking forward to running full speed ahead.”

You can learn more information on Pastor Richard Hayes by visiting his website www.hayesforhinesville.com.