After 21 years under the leadership of Mayor Gary Fuller, Opelika is preparing for a change.
On Tuesday, voters will head to the polls to decide between Herman G. Barnes III, Raven Harvis, and Eddie Smith marking the city’s first open mayoral race in a generation.
Before entering public office, Fuller built a career in broadcasting. He served as president and CEO of Fuller Broadcasting Company, Inc., which owned and operated six radio stations across the region. Under his leadership, the stations earned numerous awards, including recognition from the National Association of Broadcasters for community service.
He was also known for his coverage of Hurricane Opal in 1995, when one of his stations remained on the air overnight to provide critical information. In addition to his broadcasting career, Fuller worked as managing partner of Fuller Properties, LTD, and hosted a weekly public affairs program called “The Lee County Report.”
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His public service career began in 2000, when he was elected to represent Ward Four on the Opelika City Council. After four years in that role, he successfully ran for mayor in 2004 and took office that October. He went on to be re-elected four times, including an uncontested race in 2012, and became Opelika’s longest-serving mayor.
Over two decades in office, Fuller’s leadership helped shape the city’s growth.
According to WRBL, Opelika experienced significant industrial expansion and record-setting capital investment during his tenure. More than 5,700 industry jobs were created, supported by over $2.6 billion in new investment. The city attracted major employers such as Miele and Niagara Bottling, while its industrial park grew to include a roster of national and international companies. Fuller also oversaw downtown redevelopment, housing expansion, infrastructure improvements, and the opening of the Opelika SportsPlex & Aquatics Center.
Technology became another area of progress, with Opelika establishing itself as Alabama’s first “Gig City” through Opelika Power Services’ fiber-optic internet. Partnerships with schools, local businesses, and state agencies also played a central role in the city’s development under his administration.
Fuller’s retirement marks both the end of an era and the start of a new one. On Tuesday, Opelika voters will decide who will guide the city into its next chapter.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
