Belue withdraws from Red Bay mayor’s race, leaving Fancher, Shewbart in 2016 rematch

by John Pilati

Four weeks from Alabama municipal elections, a Red Bay mayoral candidate withdrew from the race Friday morning, the Franklin Free Press has learned.

Rodney Belue, who was in a three-person race for Red Bay Mayor with Charlene Fancher and Mike Shewbart, announced his decision Friday morning in a social media post.

“My fellow citizens of Red Bay, after diligent thought and prayers I am officially announcing my withdrawal as candidate for mayor in the August 26th election…I have led a 27 year career and counting in law enforcement. I will leave the politics to the politicians. I hope you all pray on your decision in this election just as I have in my decision to withdraw,” Belue said in a Facebook post.

Alabama law provides that any candidate who wants to withdraw from a municipal election may do so by serving written notice to the mayor of the city where he or she sought office.

Belue delivered a letter to Fancher’s office Friday morning. If ballots have been printed prior to Belue’s withdrawal, his name will be crossed out on all ballots, pursuant to state law.

Although he previously said he would be ‘okay if Mike Shewbart wins,’ Belue said Friday he will not endorse either remaining candidate and he will make no further public comment on his candidacy.

Belue was knee deep in one of the most contentious municipal campaigns in Franklin County’s recent history. He accused Fancher of living in Mississippi and not being eligible to serve in an elected office. Fancher has denied the allegations in what has been a nasty back-and-forth public ordeal.

“It’s been a stress the whole time I’ve been running. If you bring something to light to someone , they always have an excuse. I think back all the way to when I first announced I was running, and people have contacted me with complaints about (Fancher’s residency issue),” Belue said. “I told each of them who to contact and the Alabama Secretary of State has had two months and nothing has been done yet and I don’t think anything ever will get done.”

Belue said he discussed withdrawing with his wife and they ultimately made the decision Thursday.

“I won’t be making any further comment on this election. I’m not going to endorse anyone. You won’t see me do anything like that from this point forward,” Belue said.

“All I can say is I did what’s right. There may be some who disagree but at least I brought the truth out,” Belue added.

Belue’s withdrawal leaves Fancher and Shewbart going head-to-head in a repeat of the 2016 runoff mayoral election, which Fancher won by 14 votes.

Alabama municipal elections will take place Tuesday, August 26th, with polls open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.