Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque speaks March 7, 2022, during a City Council meeting. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal file photo

AUBURN — Jason Levesque announced Monday he is running for a fourth term as mayor. If elected, he says it would be his last.

Levesque said he turned in signatures from residents who believe the city is “on the right track” and that “a change in direction would be devastating to our future prosperity.”

“Serving as Auburn’s mayor for the last six years has not just been an honor, but a period that I look back on with pride,” he said in a campaign announcement.

Levesque recapped past terms, including the city’s 150th anniversary and navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, to more recent accomplishments like the new Edward Little High School, the upcoming construction of a new community center and “executing a citizen-driven strategic and comprehensive plan, which is leading to one of the nation’s most progressive zoning reforms.”

He said the rezoning effort is “breathing new life into every aspect of our community, from new businesses to housing opportunities and a surge in manufacturing.”

“We have done all this and much more while keeping tax rates flat or significantly lower than historically high inflation,” he said.

Levesque said he struggled with the decision to run for reelection, but said, “there is much more yet to be done.”

“We cannot slow down, we can not go backwards and we must continue to drive our city forward to ensure that our children know they can make their lives here, and not have to move away to be successful,” he said. “While I never expected to run for a fourth term, I believe that a steady hand is needed as mayor, one with real life experience, who has and will continue to put in the time and effort to maximize our potential.”