Two-term Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings released a statement Monday morning saying that he no longer intends to run for a third term as mayor, or for the city auditor’s position.

Hastings earlier pulled petitions from the Highland County Board of Elections for both the Hillsboro mayor and city auditor positions, but did not file them. His statement now says he will not seek either position.

“As many residents know, I have recently weighed whether to run for elected office once more and I’ve debated where I could best serve our city, in another term as mayor, or as the city auditor,” Hastings said. “I’ve had overwhelming encouragement to run again, and I am honored for all of the support. But, my first positive contributions to Hillsboro were as a private citizen, from efforts to save the old Hillsboro High School to the uptown’s renovation. I think the time has come where I can once again best serve Hillsboro in the private sector. Very shortly, I will also begin overseeing the biggest building project of my life when I become a first time father this summer. Construction has already started.

“I look forward to serving my family and community in these roles. Thank you.”

Later Monday, Hastings said he plans to continue with some renovation projects to keep improving the uptown Hillsboro area.

“I’d like to give a little more attention to Bell’s Opera House and pursue any possibilities for its renovation,” he said. “This will just give me more time back in my private life, and I won’t have the conflicts of interest that would sometimes come up.”

Hastings said he is proud of what he and the city have accomplished during his time as mayor.

“When I think back to 2010 and 2011 and the problems this town faced, and how it looked, yes, I’m proud of what we’ve done, and my staff and the city workers deserve a lot of that credit,” he said. “And I think the standards and expectations have been raised for the city.”

Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522.