Birmingham, AL – Richard Arrington has decided against seeking a return to office as mayor of Birmingham.
Arrington, who was the first black mayor of the state's largest city, said Monday he wouldn't be a candidate in a special election set for Dec. 8.
The 74-year-old Arrington already has served five terms, but he said he didn't get the feeling voters wanted him to launch another campaign.
A dozen people already are seeking to replace former Mayor Larry Langford, who was convicted on 60 felony counts and removed from office.
The field includes the interim mayor, Carole Smitherman, and the second-place finisher in the last election, attorney Patrick Cooper.
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