Local political activist and HIV victim advocate Jeremy Hobbs announced today that he will seek the Eighth District Columbus Council seat currently held by Red McDaniel, the council’s longest-serving member.

McDaniel has over 30 years on council, including service on the old city commission that pre-dated consolidation.

Hobbs has served on the Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities, the Public Safety Advisory Committee, and the MPO Transportation Citizens Advisory Committee, according to a press release.

Hobbs, who is HIV positive, is also founder and president of the Chattahoochee Valley Better Way Foundation, which offers services to area people infected or otherwise affected by HIV and AIDS.

“The future progress of Columbus and the Eighth District is what is at stake in this election,” Hobbs’ release reads. “Columbus needs coherent, energetic and visionary leadership and it is vital to Columbus that Jeremy Hobbs is elected to this critically important position.”

The non-partisan city election is scheduled for July 31.