Disillusioned with politics, Peoria Councilmember Brad Shafer plans to step away from office at the end of the year, announcing this week that he will not seek reelection for his seat as the city’s Mesquite District representative.
Shafer, who was appointed to the role in May 2022 and won the special election race for the seat that November, will serve out the rest of his term, which expires this December.
“Serving as your councilmember these past two years has been an honor,” Shafer said in his announcement on Facebook and in an email to supporters. “Many of you know that ‘service before self’ is a core value of mine and that my intentions have always been just to serve my community and not to have a career in politics.”
A U.S. Air Force veteran and former emergency medical technician, Shafer indicated that his time in office soured his view on politics.
“While I had initially anticipated a greater emphasis on integrity in politics in general, it has become obvious that I should redirect my focus towards pursuits that align with higher principles and values,” he said in the announcement.