Alameda City Councilmember John Knox White has announced he will not pursue another term on the council.

Knox White made the announcement in an op-ed released on his social media feeds on Saturday, March 12. He said the time commitments of his professional and council careers were beginning to weigh on him.

“I have realized that working 40+ hours a week and trying to be the kind of city councilmember I want to be (responsive, engaged, effective) takes its toll over time,” wrote Knox White.

Knox White wanted to ensure Alameda residents that he would use his last year on the council to finalize several projects including Active Transportation Plan, certifying the city’s new housing element and city plans for a new aquatic center.

Knox White joined the council after the November 2018 election. He served as vice mayor from 2019 to 2021. Before joining the council, Knox White was a member of the Alameda Planning Board and served as board president for a period of time. He also served as vice-chair of Alameda’s Sunshine Task Force.

“I can’t say thank you enough to you and to our community for this opportunity to serve,” wrote Knox White. “I can only hope that I have done so honorably and effectively.”

Along with Knox White, Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft and Councilmember Tony Daysog’s terms will also be up this year.