Pascagoula Mayor Matthew Avara says he will not seek a second term in the upcoming city election.

Avara says the town needs a new face and a new mayor.

Avara joins Moss Point Mayor Xavier Bishop and Gautier Mayor Pete Pope, who have announced they also are not running again.

Robbie Maxwell, a Republican, is the only candidate to qualify so far for the Pascagoula mayor’s post. The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday.

Primary elections are set for May 5, with runoffs on May 19, as needed.

The general election is June 2, and new mayors, aldermen and council members enter office July 6. Their terms extend until 2013.