Rome has a new mayor, and as is customary in the city’s commission-manager form of government, the choice came from within the City Commission rather than through a direct mayoral election.

At the Rome City Commission’s first meeting of 2026 on Monday, commissioners selected Jim Bojo to serve as mayor. Rome residents elect City Commissioners in non-partisan, at-large, plurality races, and the commission then chooses one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Mayor Pro Tem for a set term.

“I want to thank each and every one of you for your support,” Bojo said after the vote. “We’ve had fun times over the past few years, and I hope we have more fun times ahead. I want to let all of the commissioners know that I’m just a phone call away, for every one of you. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but we’ll get there.”

Bojo won the mayoral selection by a 5-4 vote. Voting for Bojo were Craig McDaniel, Harry Brock, Wayne Robinson, Jill Fisher, and Bojo. Voting for March Cochran were Elaina Beeman, Vic Hixon, Bill Collins, and Cochran.

Commissioners also elected Wayne Robinson to serve as Mayor Pro Tem, also by a 5-4 vote, defeating Elaina Beeman.

In other business, Sammy Rich was re-appointed as city manager.

Bojo brings a background in broadcasting and local media leadership to the role. He previously served as vice president of TTA Broadcasting from 1995 to 2014. TTA Broadcasting purchased WGTA AM and WATG FM in Summerville from Bill Farrar in 1997.