Second person enters Phenix City Council at-large race

Phenix City optometrist Griff Gordy became the second person to enter the race for the citywide Phenix City Council seat.

Gordy made his announcement Thursday morning at his north Phenix City office.

Gordy is the second person to enter the at-large race. Sabrina Sumbry, the daughter of former Phenix City Councilman Arthur Sumbry Sr., announced her intentions last month.

The at-large council seat is held by Johnny Barfield, who was appointed in March to fill the unexpired term created by Chris Blackshear’s election to the Alabama Legislature.

The election for all four council seats and mayor will be Aug. 23. The seat Gordy and Sumbry are seeking in the only council seat elected citywide. Qualifying runs from July 5 through July 19.

Gordy was raised in Phenix City resident and was the quarterback on the 1993 Central High School state championship football team. He returned home in 2007 to open his practice. This is his first run for elected office.

“This is my hometown; this is where I was born and raised and where I grew up,” Gordy said. “I left for a few years and went to school, but my intentions were always to come back to Phenix City because I love this place, I love the people of Phenix City and I love the community. My heart has always been to come back and give back to my community.”

Gordy stressed the importance of public education.

“I want to create a strong partnership with the Phenix City School System,” he added. “I want to make sure our schools are adequately funded, and work with city and school district leaders to make our schools better.”

Sumbry ran unsuccessfully for the District 3 seat in 1989, losing to Noble Williams. Her family has long been involved in Phenix City and Russell County politics. Her brother, Arthur Sumbry Jr. is the Russell County coroner.

This story was originally published June 2, 2016 at 11:17 AM with the headline "Second person enters Phenix City Council at-large race."