Jay Barber was appointed mayor in 2017 to fill the remaining term of Don Larson, who died in December 2016. Barber has announced his intention to run in November, but has yet to file paperwork, according to City Recorder Kimberley Jordan.

Chapman arrived in Seaside in 1989 as the Shilo Inn’s entertainment director and entered local broadcasting soon after. After years as an employee and co-owner of KSWB with Cal Brady, he purchased the station in 2011.

Chapman, 52, stressed family, community and business as motivating his decision to run.

“I want to continue to develop and make things better in the community we live in,” he said. “Also, to the fact that the city gathered around me when I was sick, and gave me life.”

Chapman suffered from swine flu in 2009 and spent 65 days in the hospital.

“The community gathered, did some fundraising and that helped us medically and financially succeed through that process,” he said.

Chapman listed housing as a key issue, and its impact on the city’s economic base, employees and businesses.

“How do we continue to find ways that we can grow our city’s boundaries and bring new and long-lasting people into our community?” he asked.

Chapman said a proposed accessory dwelling unit ordinance amendment, designed to increase the availability of long-term rental units, has his support.

He also urged support for the new middle and high school campus in the city’s Southeast Hills. “The city needs to embrace the development of that school in every way we can,” he said.

Chapman said he would like to see greater cooperation between the county’s cities on disaster preparation.

“My biggest concern is that we don’t have a countywide structure plan,” he said.

Chapman, raised in Great Britain, is a 27-year Seaside resident. He is married to Karen Chapman, and they have five children, Peter, Erin, Elizabeth, Henry and Patrick.

A former member of the city’s budget advisory committee, he also served on the city’s tourism advertising committee. He unsuccessfully sought appointment to Barber’s open City Council seat in 2017.

Public office has been in his plan for several years. “This is not anything new,” he said. “I’ve talked about this and being involved with this for a long time.”

In addition to the open mayoral seat, three city council positions are open, in Ward 1, Ward 2 and Ward 3 and 4. The seats are held by Steve Wright, Tita Montero and Dana Phillips.