Pensacola mayor race sees fourth candidate enter field

A fourth candidate has joined the Pensacola mayor's race.

Lawrence S. Powell filed paperwork declaring his candidacy for the position Monday afternoon.

Powell is pastor of the Christ Our Redeemer Eternally Ministries and formed Future Leaders of Warrington, co-founded Iron Sharpens Academy for Boys and served as a president of Pensacola Civitan, according to a press release from Powell.

A Pensacola native, Powell retired from the U.S. Army as a major after receiving degrees from Pensacola State College, University of West Florida and Troy State University, according to his press release.

More: Third candidate files to run for Pensacola mayor

Powell said he was running for the position because he believes in public service and has the interest of Pensacola "etched deep within my heart."

"I have watched the level of progressive economic development within our city and I’m very proud of the progress we have made under the leadership of Mayor Ashton Hayward," Powell said. "However, no matter how far we have come we can go even farther. My belief is that we should always strive to set our goals higher each time, and when we achieve those goals we should set the goals even higher than before."

Powell said that as mayor he will work with the City Council, business owners, veterans and citizens to make the executive branch accountable to the people of Pensacola.

"The preservation of our city’s rich city history is vital to our development and quality of life for all residents," Powell said. "I will work hard to serve the diverse culture and community that represents the richness of our city."

More: Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward says he will not run for third term

Three other candidates who have filed for election are Drew Buchanan, David Mayo and Grover Robinson.

Qualification for the race ends June 22.

If three or more of the candidates qualify, the mayor's election will be during the state's primaries on Aug. 28. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will advance to a runoff on Nov. 6.

Jim Little can be reached at jwlittle@pnj.com or 850-208-9827.