Hoover City Councilman Sam Swiney will not seek reelection.
In a written statement, Swiney said, "I have decided not to seek reelection this August. I came to this decision a couple of months ago. It has been an absolute honor representing the people of Hoover over the last 5 years."
Swiney currently holds Place 2. He was elected in 2020, replacing Gene Smith when Smith ran for mayor.
Swiney's statement continued, "There are a couple of reasons I have decided to not seek reelection. First and foremost, my kids are getting older and are starting to get involved in a lot of activities. I know I can't get this time back with them, and I want to be involved as much as possible with what they have going on."
He has three sons and has been married for 18 years.
With his announcement, at least two open seats will be on the council. Councilman Curt Posey announced last month that he will not be seeking reelection. The only incumbent left to declare their intention is Council President John Lyda.
Swiney continued his statement, explaining,
"It’s also never a bad thing to have new blood on the council with fresh ideas. I’m really excited to see some very talented individuals step up and are willing to serve. I love Hoover and want to see our city be as successful as possible, and if that means stepping down to let someone else come in with a new perspective, I’m all for it. I will be the biggest advocate for whomever the citizens elect in August. It’s no secret that there has been a lot of negative publicity over the past year in Hoover. While there have been issues that my colleagues and I have not seen eye to eye on, I have the utmost respect for each and every one of them, and consider them all friends.
I’m very proud of what this group has been able to accomplish the last five years. We have the very best police/fire departments in the state. We have an incredible school board and school system that is dedicated to providing the very best education for our children. Our library is absolutely first class. Our parks and sports facilities have been greatly improved over the past 5 years. We were able to turf 9 baseball/softball fields across the city, including at both high schools. This has been a game changer for our sports programs. The Met Complex is profiting over $1 million every year from the events they bring in. We also have a new long term deal to keep the SEC Baseball tournament in Hoover. These are just a few of the things we have been able to accomplish. There is a lot that the residents here can be proud of. I’m thankful to have been able to play a small role in these things, and will always be the biggest supporter of all things Hoover! Thank you to the residents for allowing me to serve these past 5 years!!
Last month, Swiney joined a majority of his fellow council members when he endorsed Police Chief Nick Derzis for mayor over incumbent Frank Brocato.
In an interview with The Faces of Hoover, Swiney was asked what advice he'd give to others. His reply was, "The same advice I give to my children. Try to make a difference every day. It can be something as small as holding a door for a stranger. Life is short, and people will forget the things you say or do, but people will always remember how you make them feel."
Former City Councilman Gene Smith, who announced his candidacy in February, said earlier this week that he will be running for Place 2 again. He held the seat prior to Swiney.
The 2025 election will be held on August 26, 2025. According to the Alabama League of Municipalities, election calendar, qualifying begins June 10 and ends June 24.
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