Racine mayor Cory Mason is not seeking reelection

All right. We are continuing some of our guests here joining us on Fox 6 now. And I actually want to go ahead and bring in Mayor Corey Mason from Racine. You made a pretty big announcement today. You will not be seeking re-election. Of course, you've been the mayor of Racine since 2017 when you were elected in a special election. What kind of inspired this decision? Yeah, I mean, today marks 20 years since I was first elected by this community to be in the State Assembly. And so after 20 years and a lot of great accomplishments that I've been able to do with this community, I thought it was time to pass the torch on to the next generation of new leadership. I'm sure it's a decision that you've made after putting a lot of thought towards it. And I'm sure also a lot of reflection. So as you kind of reflect on some of the things you've been able to do and achieve as mayor, what stands out to you? Yeah, we're really excited about the new King Community Center and health clinic we're building that'll bring health care to thousands of Racine residents. I'm very excited about all the housing work that we've been able to accomplish to bring more housing opportunities for people in the city of Racine. And we've had a substantial reduction in gun violence. So those things stand out to me as things that we've been able to accomplish. But what I've really been honored and grateful to be able to do is work with the community for two decades now, really to address their problems and hear from them firsthand. It's really been the honor and privilege of my lifetime to represent this community and be elected by them nine times. But after nine elections, I think it's time to pass the torch to somebody new. Yeah, you mentioned, you know, this community has chosen you nine different times. I imagine maybe some people now feeling a little upended, wondering what they should do in the future. What would be just your message to all of those who have elected you so many times to represent them? Yeah, I mean, thank you. I mean, the trust and confidence that this community has put in me time and time again has really been humbling and inspiring, and I hope that the results that we've seen, particularly in my time as mayor, make people feel like, wow, we've really improved these neighborhoods and made it a place that we can feel like is home and is a place that they want to stay and raise their kids. So it's really been the honor of a lifetime to hear those concerns and dreams and expectations of our residents and put those into place. In the real world. So thank you to everybody who's put your trust and confidence in me. And I hope you feel like it's made a difference in your lives. Absolutely. Okay, let's go to maybe some big picture questions here for you. It was a busy week this week with elections. If governor-elect David Crowley asked you to join his administration, what would you say to him? Let's talk. You know, I mean, I don't know what's next. I don't have anything definitive planned. I don't have a specific on the offer on the table, but I'm excited to figure out what's next for me and certainly want to elect or want to wish Governor-elect Crowley well in what he's going to be able to do for the state with a Democratic majority in both houses of the legislature. Yeah. Have you been in touch with him at all about potentially joining his cabinet? Not specifically. He was here on Monday, the day before the election. And so I got to talk to him for a couple of minutes then and had the privilege of serving with him for several years when we were both in the legislature. But I haven't had any specific conversations now. Next question here from our political reporter, Jason Calvi. He says GOP has controlled the legislature for 16 years, so there aren't as many Democratic lobbyists as the GOP. Are you planning on potentially starting your own government affairs, a lobbying firm, or do you plan to join one? No, there are no plans to start a government relations firm. I mean, look, I think whatever I do next, and I don't know what that is, but I want to give back to the community and continue public service in some way. But what that looks like yet, I just don't know. I mean, today is really just about making an announcement after 20 years of serving the community to say thank you and give, you know, whoever might want to run for mayor next the time and space that they need to figure out their own candidacy and get their names on the ballot and move on. So as you talk about, you know, other people now running to be the next mayor of Racine, do you plan on endorsing anyone, anyone that you're kind of eyeing for the role to succeed you? Yeah, I mean, already today, a couple of people have contacted me and said, hey, I'm thinking about this or whatever. I don't want to put my thumb on the scale from the outset. If people want to run, let's get their names on the ballot and see if they qualify. And then after that, you know, we can evaluate who's there. And I might make an endorsement. I might not. But let's wait and see who's going to put their name out there and let the voters really have a chance to decide who should be next. Yeah. And when you talk about, you know, those people in the running to be the next mayor of Racine, when you were deciding whether or not to seek reelection, I mean, were there any concerns about potentially not winning in April? I know there's that police officer who's running who seems to be pretty well liked. Yeah, no, I mean, it's really not about that. It's just really, we have three kids in high school. We've been doing this work for 20 years. We're really proud of the work that we've done, but really now it's time to turn the page and let somebody else have a chance. Yeah. And again, if anyone just tuning in. The announcement made from Mayor Corey Mason today, he is not seeking re-election come this April. Again, just anything else you kind of wanted to say just about your time serving Racine, about your time as mayor? Again, certainly you've given a lot of time to the community here. Yeah, just people in Racine are wonderful. I mean, it's just been the honor of my life to serve this community. And so for people who might not have had a chance to be down here and visit our neighborhoods and visit our community, it is just a wonderful community with a diverse group of wonderful people who, you know, we may tussle sometimes and don't always agree, but in the main, this is a wonderful group of people who care deeply about their neighborhoods and their families and their community. And again, it's just been the honor of a lifetime to represent them for two decades. Absolutely. Well, again, Mayor Corey Mason here joining us on Fox 6 Now. After making that announcement this morning, we greatly appreciate you taking the time to chat with us live here. And again, Mayor Corey Mason announcing not seeking re-election come this April.