Charleston Mayor Danny Jones, who became the longest serving mayor in the city's history last year when he was re-elected to a fourth - and he has said final - term, announced Monday who he wants to take his place.
"I hope you would give thought to having JB Akers to take my place," the mayor wrote on his Facebook page.
Jones admitted Monday that it's a little early to be thinking about another election, but he's excited about possibly seeing Akers, a Charleston lawyer, who was appointed city clerk last year, campaign for the seat. The mayor noted this term is for only three years, instead of the usual four, as city elections will now coincide with congressional races.
"I wanted to get his name out there and have people start encouraging him," Jones said of Akers.
His Facebook post about Akers had been liked more than 100 times and shared nearly 30 times within a few hours.
Akers said he's flattered by Jones' support and that he's seriously considering a 2018 bid for mayor.
"I'm definitely thinking about it and giving it heavy consideration. I'm talking to friends and family," he said. "It's a big deal for me. I'd have to essentially shut my law practice down. Being mayor is a full-time job, you don't go and do that only every once in a while."
Akers said the mayor's post Monday was unexpected, but appreciated. Akers and Jones both are Republicans and they have spoken several times about the possibility of Akers running.
"I'm thankful he would have confidence in me and put himself on the line," said Akers. "I'm appreciative of the fact he would have confidence enough to mention my name as someone who would do a good job for Charleston. He genuinely cares deeply about Charleston. He genuinely wants this place to do well."
Dedication to the city's success is what has made Akers consider running.
"I have a genuine interest in stuff that goes on. We're raising our family here, we have lots of friends here. I pay a lot of attention to stuff that goes on around town," Akers said.
Jones, 66, vowed last year that this would be his last term in office. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012 and considered retiring then, but wanted to see through improving the city's pension funds and securing that renovations got underway on the Civic Center.
"I really think guys my age, people my age ought to help younger people get involved in politics. Let's put some young faces in our city that will bring new ideas and new energy to the job," the mayor said.
Akers, 43, has lived in Charleston since 1999, after finishing law school at West Virginia University. His wife, assistant Kanawha prosecutor Maryclaire Atkins Akers, was born and raised in Charleston. The couple has three children.
"He's so smart and so dynamic, I think it would be a great face to put on our city. He would be a great face. They would be a great first family for our city," the mayor said. "His temperament is a little better than mine. ... I'm actually closer friends with Maryclaire. I just thought a long time ago he would be the type of person for the job because he's dynamic and because he's smart."
Reach Kate White at kate.white@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-1723 or follow @KateLWhite on Twitter.