VALDOSTA — Radio host Scott James threw his hat into the race for the Valdosta mayor Wednesday outside of City Hall.

A crowd of about 40 people attended the announcement, waving signs and cheering support.

Scott James Matheson is best known as radio host Scott James. He hosts a talk radio show, owns and operates a radio station, co-chairs the One-Lowndes Valdosta initiative, is on the SPLOST steering committee and is the president-elect of the Leadership Lowndes board.

“This town has given me a lot, folks,” Matheson said. “I’ve given a lot back to Valdosta as well. I’ve given my heart and soul. I’ve racked up 29 years worth of volunteer hours from charity roof sits to river cleanups.”

Matheson has experience with elected city and county officials, many of whom have joined him on his show.

He said he is running for mayor to lead the city with progressive thought and to work on quality projects in all four corners of the community. 

“I want to bring together citizens and land owners and both governments and state agencies and the development authority and encourage them all to do something together that none of them can achieve alone,” he said.

Matheson has government experience. He served six years as a city councilman and was mayor pro-tem for two years in Remerton.

“I am throwing my hat into the race this November to be your mayor,” he said. 

He will face former Valdosta Fire Department chief J. D. Rice and former city councilman David Sumner, who have both announced their intention to run for mayor. 

Official qualifying is later this year.

Thomas Lynn is a government and education reporter for The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be reached at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256