BAY MINETTE, Ala. — David Bishop was carpooling from Fairhope to his job at Scott Paper Co. in Mobile when a fellow passenger mentioned upcoming Fairhope City Council elections, and suggested Bishop as a candidate.

Bishop initially rejected the idea as “too much effort.” A few months later, he stapled business cards to flyers listing goals if elected and went door to door to every Fairhope residence.

Bishop won a City Council seat in the 1972 election. He was elected six more times to the council, before resigning to prevent any “perceived impropriety” when his son, Jody, was being considered for the municipal judge post in Fairhope.

In 2002, he was appointed to the Baldwin County Commission to replace Joe Faust, who was elected to the state House.

In this year’s primary elections, Bob James bested Bishop for the District 2 seat and will take office following the Nov. 3 General Election.

“He ran against me twice, and this time he got the best of me,” Bishop said. “I know he will do a good job.”

Bishop, 69, said he decided not to actively seek political office again, and plans to spend more time with his wife, Bonnie, their three children and his growing brood of grandchildren, which now number seven. He also plans to continue activities at First Baptist Church of Fairhope.

“Bonnie and my family have been trying to get me to slow down for years,” he said. “Now I am. I have grandchildren in college and I want to spend time with them.”

Bishop also said he plans to work in his yard, fish and hunt, and take out his pontoon boat which remained idle all summer on Lake Martin.

“I have a small cabin on the lake and will be spending more time there with Bonnie. I am an Auburn fan, so it’s a convenient place during football season.”

Bishop said he never considered himself a career politician, but has always been interested in civics. His first “elected posts” were president of the student class and student body at Fairhope High School.

“I always felt I needed to be involved in improving the neighborhood. I always believed the Lord has a plan for our lives. When a door closed, another opened that was bigger than the one