Troy voters likely will have a choice to make when they head to the polls in August to cast ballots in the mayoral election.

City Councilman Jason Reeves announced his candidacy in The Messenger on Saturday and, although he hasn’t officially announced his candidacy, incumbent Mayor Jimmy Lunsford said he also plans to see re-election.

“My plans are to make my announcement on June 1,” Lunsford said during a phone interview Monday evening.

Lunsford said he feels that date will give him plenty of time for any campaigning necessary before the August 28 municipal election. Qualifying for the open election is July 3-15.

“My record is my campaign after 30 years,” Lunsford said. “I believe that the City of Troy has been successful because of a team concept. We have had a good group working together and I am very proud and honored that I was allowed to be the leader of that team.”

Lunsford said he feels his time spent in command positions in the military and work with industrial development groups has given him the leadership ability that has helped attract business and secured grants for Troy.

“The City of Troy is certainly going in the right direction as evidenced by the sales tax revenue we are enjoying and have enjoyed for quite some time,” Lunsford said. “I would anticipate that that could continue.

“I absolutely love my job. Being mayor has been something extremely meaningful to me.”

When Lunsford took office four years ago, he indicated this would be his last term as mayor of Troy.  Even though Lunsford has since changed his mind, Reeves did not reconsider his desire to become the city’s mayor.

“When you make the decision to run for office, it needs to be about what you feel you can offer your community,” Reeves said on Monday. “I love Troy and want to help.”

Reeves noted that although running against a man he’s worked beside for more than a decade “is not an ideal situation,” he said, “I feel like this is the right time for me to take this step.”

Reeves has served as the councilman of District 3 for 16 years and is the youngest elected official in Troy’s history. Although he’s happy with the work he’s been able to do on the council, he feels as if he can offer more.

Reeves, if elected, said he hopes to build Troy’s quality of life for all people so that the area’s “best and brightest can stay at home if they want to.” To Reeves, that means assessing and improving infrastructure, schools, public safety and healthcare.

“We need to look at issues across the board,” Reeves said.

He said he’s excited about the campaign challenge and even if he were to not be elected, Reeves pledges to remain active in the community.

“This is my home,” Reeves said. “This is where I am going to be, God willing, for the rest of my life. I will be involved in the community for as long as I am here.”