According to an article from the Suncoast News, New Port Richey Deputy Mayor (and Council member) Bill Phillips will resign in “early 2016” in order to pursue a campaign for County Commission Seat 5, running against current Commissioner Jack Mariano.

Phillips, 58, was re-elected unopposed last Spring to the City Council and was appointed by a vote as Deputy Mayor in April and will resign after serving less than one year of his three year term.

Phillips will run as a Republican, and will face Mariano in an August 30th, 2016 primary election. The general election is November 8th, 2016.