A familiar face in local education, former Chattooga High School Principal Jeff Martin, has officially announced his bid for Summerville City Council Seat 3. Martin’s candidacy comes on the heels of Rickey Hughes’s resignation from the position on Monday evening, as Hughes revealed his own plans to run for Mayor.

Martin, who dedicated over three decades to education and public service, expressed his motivation for seeking a role in city governance. “My desire is to help people and I believe I can make a difference in the lives of local residents as a member of the Summerville City Council,” Martin told WZQZ News. He stated that his decision to run stems from a desire to continue his legacy of civic contribution, transitioning from the classroom to city leadership to assist the community.

The Seat 3 position on the Summerville City Council became vacant at Monday’s city council meeting when Rickey Hughes stepped down. Hughes, who had held the seat, informed the council that he would be seeking the city’s top elected office.

As of now, Jeff Martin is the sole candidate to publicly declare his intentions for Seat 3. Martin, a native of Menlo, has resided in the city of Summerville for just over a year. His deep roots in the region and extensive career within the local school system, however, make him a recognized figure among residents.