The City of Anniston announced that Mayor Jack Draper has resigned, effective May 2.
The reason for the resignation was not revealed, but the City mentioned the mayor's health.
"The City of Anniston, its elected officials, employees, and citizens extend their sincere gratitude to Mayor Draper for his years of dedicated service and leadership," the City said in a statement. "His commitment to the City has left a lasting impact, and we thank him for the integrity, vision, and steady guidance he provided throughout his tenure. We wish Mayor Draper all the best in his future endeavors and continued good health."
Draper was given an extra year term when a new law in 2021 extended terms once to move municipal elections to the same year as presidential and county elections. His term would have expired in November.
The Draper family was met with controversy last year when the mayor's wife, Wendy Draper, was named in a civil lawsuit in which her father, former State Sen. Doug Ghee (D-Anniston), was accused of sexual assault. In December, the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office confirmed a criminal investigation was underway.
Ghee has not been charged with a crime.
Wendy Draper ran as a Republican for Senate District 12 in 2022. She was challenged due to her father's time as a Democratic senator and past donations to Democrats.
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