Termed Out, Not Tapped Out: Is Abbott Eyeing the Mayor’s Office?

Councilmember Abbott posted this on Social Media yesterday.

For years the rumor mill has insisted that Councilman Donald Abbott has his sights set on the Mayor’s office, even while publicly supporting Mayor Lawson. It’s all been political chatter — but Abbott’s recent post has people talking again. With term limits preventing him from running for Ward 1 after his current term, speculation about a mayoral bid has only grown louder. The timing is interesting: Abbott is secure in his council seat until 2028, which means he could take a “free shot” at the Mayor’s race in 2026 without risking his current position if he loses. Officially, he hasn’t declared. Unofficially, the rumor mill is fully employed.

And let’s be honest — if Abbott doesn’t run, what exactly is the long game? Once he’s termed out in 2028, sitting on the sidelines until 2030 isn’t exactly a proven political strategy. Out of sight usually means out of mind in local politics. Will he pivot fully into social media influencer mode, rating every appetizer and grand opening in Sparks? Anyone who follows his feeds knows he’s already halfway there, having dined, posted, and tagged just about every restaurant in Sparks. Or does he trade council chambers for the lobbying circuit and finally push that long-discussed lands bill across the finish line? Something longtime lobbyists Chris Barrett/Barrett Resources and Scott Bensing/SB Strategic Consulting Inc have charged there buddy Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson’s Sparks taxpayers a whole lot of money for. Whatever the plan, political “time off” has ened more careers than it’s revived — which is why the mayor rumor refuses to die.