seek a second full term as mayor of Macon-Bibb. He went on to win the election uncontested, as his challenger, local pastor and attorney Lonzy Edwards, suspended his campaign due to health concerns on April 19, 2016, and died 10 days later. In November 2020, Reichert vetoed an anti-discrimination ordinance for all Macon residents who are LGBTQIA+. The ordinance had received the majority of the vote from residents and a 5-4 vote by the Macon-Bibb Commission. In an official statement from the Mayor's office, Reichert stated that "after prayerful consideration" he would be vetoing the legislation. He also attributed his decision in part to the timing of the bill so late in the term. Opponents of the bill focused on how they felt the issue of enacting legislation to protect LGBTQ+ people went against their rights to their religious beliefs. “In fact, this ordinance takes away the business owners’ freedom to practice religion, and instead coerces many Christian and Jewish faith-based people in our county to accept the LGBTQ lifestyle as one of their moral beliefs,” said former mayoral candidate Blake Sullivan. Reichert stated the apprehension of the commissioners to amend the bill to address religious freedom concerns also attributed to his decision. Supporters of the bill, including many local attorneys urged him to sign it, claiming that Reichert had not referenced any specific legal concerns. Personal life Reichert has been active in various civic organizations, including Leadership Macon, the Boy Scouts of America, the Macon Rescue Mission, the Georgia Industrial Home, Douglass Theatre, and the Kiwanis Club. Reichert and his wife, Dele, have two children, and they are members of the Vineville United Methodist Church. See also Timeline of Macon, Georgia References Website of the Mayor's Office 1948 births Living people University of Georgia alumni United States Army aviators United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War Georgia (U.S. state) lawyers Military personnel from Georgia (U.S. state) Aviators from Georgia (U.S. state) Mayors of Macon, Georgia Democratic Party members of the Georgia House of Representatives Mercer University alumni 21st-century American politicians 20th-century Methodists 21st-century Methodists American United Methodists United States Army officers