Clearwater Mayor Says He Won't Seek Re-Election in 2024

CLEARWATER, FL — Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard announced this week that he won't run for re-election when his term is up in 2024.

Faced with the coronavirus pandemic, the need to finalize the $84 million renovation of the downtown waterfront, the revitalization of downtown Clearwater, the creation of a Clearwater Gateway and the need to choose a new city attorney for the first time in 20 years with the imminent retirement of City Attorney Pam Akin, Hibbard said he felt a commitment to help the city through these transitions.

He said those are the main reasons for running for mayor in 2020. Now that these issues are behind the city, Hibbard said it's time to hang up his hat ... again.

Hibbard previously served on the Clearwater City Council for three terms from 2002-12, two as mayor during the tough years of the Great Recession.

Hibbard has lived in Clearwater since 1979 after moving from Chicago with his parents. He and his wife, Teresa, the chief development officer for the Salvation Army, have lived in a 1925 home in Harbor Oaks for 23 years. They have two grown children, three grandchildren, four dogs and three grand dogs. The Hibbards are longtime members of Calvary Church in Clearwater.

During his hiatus from public office from 2012-20, Hibbard served as chairman of the board of Ruth Eckerd Hall, vice chairman of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, board member of the Homeless Empowerment Program and a school board member for Calvary Christian High School.

Hibbard has two undergraduate degrees in finance and economics and a master’s in business administration.

“I have always used the knowledge of my degrees in my business, and serving as mayor was always where I put my education to broadest use," he said.