National City Mayor Ron Morrison announces retirement

National City Mayor Ron Morrison has announced he will not seek re-election this November, concluding a 34-year career in local government. Morrison, 76, has served on the City Council since 1992 and has held the mayor's office for a total of 16 years between 2006–2018 and 2022–present.

His departure coincides with significant fiscal challenges for the city. City Manager Doug Schulze recently warned that National City could face insolvency by 2030 due to a major budget deficit. Morrison acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating that the city must make “some serious cuts” and that the budget must be addressed immediately.

The announcement has impacted the upcoming election cycle, leading to an extension of the mayoral nomination filing period. Candidates including Marcus Bush and Councilman Jose Rodriguez are expected to run for the office. While Rodriguez noted the need for new leadership, he expressed respect for Morrison’s long service.