Lexington’s mayor has made it known who he wants to be the town’s next council member.

Mayor Steve MacDougall has announced his endorsement of Gavin Smith in the upcoming May 2 special election to replace Steve Baker, who is moving to Florida and announced his resignation from Town Council earlier this month.

Smith owns his own government and public relations business and was a partner in the Navy Yard beer garden that abandoned plans to open on Lexington’s Main Street after having its beer and wine license challenged by a neighboring church. He announced his candidacy Feb. 7, the morning after Baker revealed his departure.

Smith’s previous experience includes a stint as press secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor, as well as working for the presidential campaign and the 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee for former President Donald Trump, which MacDougall emphasized in a statement affirming his support.

“Gavin’s passion for our community, paired with his experience as a communicator, small business owner, and former presidential appointee, uniquely qualifies and prepares him to serve our town,” the mayor’s statement reads. “As we continue our work to make the Town of Lexington an even greater place to live, work, raise a family, and learn, young voices and leaders are needed now more than ever, and I can think of no one better to fill the vacancy and join our Town Council than Gavin.”

Per his website, the 30-year-old Smith has identified traffic, parking, economic development, cutting red tape and supporting small businesses, and bringing people together as key priorities should he be elected to council, along with preserving Lexington’s history, supporting law enforcement, promoting transparency and accessible government, and expanding greenspaces.

“I am humbled by Mayor MacDougall’s endorsement of my candidacy for Lexington Town Council,” Smith said in a statement. “Under Mayor MacDougall’s leadership and because of the work of our Town Council and the town’s administrative staff, it’s unquestionable that Lexington has come a long way since we were kids. I firmly believe that Lexington is the greatest place to live, own a business, raise a family, and learn – and I’m excited by the opportunity to earn the votes of every resident, give back to the community that’s given so much to me, and help lead Lexington to even greater heights.”