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Last Thursday, Kent Lawrence announced his candidacy for Mayor of Decatur in the 2025 municipal election.
“With deep roots in the community, Kent is no stranger to hard work or public service,” his campaign said.
“His early years were marked by dedication, starting with a newspaper route for the ‘Decatur Daily’ at age 10. By 15, he was sweeping floors at McDonald’s, and by 16, he had become an Assistant Manager. At 18, he was promoted to Store Manager, and by 19, he was an Area Supervisor. In his last decade with McDonald’s, he served as Director of Operations, overseeing 10 restaurants and over 500 employees in North Alabama.
“For the following 27 years, Kent owned and operated TV Electrical Supply in Decatur, which he successfully grew before selling last year. Kent has always felt called to serve his community. Since 1996, he has been actively involved with the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, serving as a board member and Executive Board Vice Chair of Leadership, among other leadership roles. He has also been a board member of the Greater Morgan County Home Builders Association and the Entrepreneurial Center, where he served as President. Kent chaired the City of Decatur Board of Zoning Adjustments and is the current Chair of the City of Decatur Planning Commission.
“Many people know Kent best for his involvement with the annual Kiwanis Pancake Day, where he has been a fixture-cooking, serving, and cleaning. He has served on the Kiwanis Board of Directors for several years and has been both the Pancake Day Chair and the club President. Throughout his career, Kent has earned several personal and business accolades, including the Raymon Baker-John Cook-Ralph Jones Small Business Person of the Year Award from the Chamber of Commerce. He has received The Hixson Award from the Kiwanis Club and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Morgan County Home Builders. Kent is a graduate of Leadership Alabama Class XXXIII. His company, TVW Electrical Supply, won the Employee Small Business of the Year Award from the Business Council of Alabama and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama.
“‘Now more than ever, we need leadership in the mayor’s office, and my work experience in the community has prepared me for this next chapter in my life,’ Kent stated. ‘I care about the future of our city and community, and I want to work with members of the city council, our local leaders, and the citizens of our great city. My priorities will include recruiting jobs and businesses, supporting our schools, improving roads and infrastructure, increasing public safety, fighting crime by cleaning up our streets, and increasing our police officers and firefighters. I view City Hall as the people’s hall, and I will always have an open door for citizens, listening to their concerns and issues. I look forward to hitting the campaign trail over the next year, meeting and talking to the people about my plan for Decatur’s future and why I want to serve as mayor. To me, that answer is simple. I grew up in this city. I love this city. I feel that I have the ability to take us to the next level, ensuring a clean, safe community that everyone is proud to live in. Decatur’s best days are ahead of us,'” Kent stated.
Kent has been married to his wife, Mamie, for nearly 40 years. They have two sons and two grandchildren. Kent was a member of First Methodist Church for most of his life but now attends St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church. The 2025 municipal election will be held on August 26.
