Mayor George Flaggs Jr.’s decision to stay home is a smart move for him and a boon for the city.

Flaggs had been mentioned as a possible candidate for lieutenant governor, and he seriously considered the office. Mississippi’s lieutenant governor can have a big influence in state government. As president of the state Senate, the lieutenant governor presides over that body and can exercise enormous influence over the bills that go through the Legislature and eventually land on the governor’s desk.

And because Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves is prevented by term limits from seeking a third term, it is an attractive office for a politician who wants to advance to higher office, and can be a possible stepping stone to governor or the U.S. House or Senate.

When he indicated in February that he was considering a possible run for lieutenant governor, Flaggs said he had been asked by people to seek the office, but he would pray and talk to his family before announcing his decision May 7.

Monday, he made his intentions clear, announcing, “I’m not running for any office other than mayor of Vicksburg.”

Considering whether to run for state office, he said, “Has taken away my focus on Vicksburg, and I don’t like it. I think I should spend my time making Vicksburg safer and better, more attractive, and create more jobs, and that’s what I’m going to focus my attention on. (I’m) not trying to do anything else.”

With Vicksburg’s potential starting to bloom, the mayor’s leadership and his knowledge of state and federal government are invaluable as the city competes for state and federal dollars for projects, and he’s not shy about stating the city’s case to anyone who will listen. One recent example of this is the agreement between the city and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to resolve the erosion problem with Hennessey Bayou.

Under Flaggs’ administration, the city has moved from operating on autopilot to taking aggressive action to make Vicksburg better. The city’s financial picture is strong, with a budget surplus and a $3 million reserve fund. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen is moving ahead with a capital improvements program, and working to upgrade Vicksburg’s aging infrastructure.

In his search whether to seek higher office, Flaggs realized where he needs to be, and that’s good for us.