Mathis has been serving as a city commissioner for more than 23 years.
Campaigning for reelection won’t be an issue for Plant City Commissioner and Vice-Mayor Mary Mathis, whose term was set to expire in June. She’ll get another three-year term because no one filed to run against her.
The reelection of Mathis, who has been serving as a city commissioner since 2000, follows the unopposed reelection of Commissioner Dodson and the reelection of Commissioner Sparkman after defeating attorney Jeremy Griner last year.
Those who wished to challenge Mathis had from noon on Feb 12 to noon on Feb. 16 to file campaign paperwork declaring their candidacy. Since no one did, Mathis will be sworn in to a new term on June 10.
Mathis grew up in Plant City and graduated from Plant City High School in 1975. She attended college in Georgia, graduating from Clark College-now known as Clark Atlanta University- in 1980 with a history degree and minor in education. She returned to Plant City, where, after a brief stint in sales at Maas Brothers department store, she secured her first teaching position educating young minds at Turkey Creek Junior High School. After an illustrious 35-year career with the school district, after working as a teacher and administrator at several schools before becoming a supervisor in the district’s transformation department, Mathis retired in 2019.
When news came via a phone call by City Clerk Kerri Miller that she her seat was uncontested, she was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude for being able to serve the community she loves.
“I am extremely honored to serve the community I’ve lived in all my life except for the time I went to college,” said Mathis.
She said she couldn’t do it without plenty of support from those closest to her. “I give honor to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and my husband and family for their support.”
Residents can often find her husband, Tony, by her side as she dutifully attends events as a municipal representative.
When asked what her top priorities are this term, she cited the city’s growing footprint. “Plant City is growing but we need to make sure that as we grow we’re very strategic in how we grow,” she said.
When asked why she has served as a city commissioner for more than two decades, first filling the seat vacated by her mentor Sadye Gibbs Martin upon her death, there was no hesitation in her quick response. “I love Plant City,” she said.
