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Gettysburg, Pennsylvania's newest mayor is already out of office — just months after taking the job. The Gettysburg Borough Council formally accepted the resignation of Chad-Alan Carr on Monday (March 9), ending his tenure after only about three months in office.
According to CBS 21, Carr submitted his resignation in writing on Tuesday (March 3), citing a "personal legal matter" that borough officials say is unrelated to his role as mayor. Borough Council President Matt Moon, who is also serving as acting mayor, confirmed the resignation but did not share further details about the legal issue.
Carr had been sworn in on New Year's Eve following a close victory over incumbent Rita Frealing in the November 2025 election — a race he won by fewer than 150 votes. Before becoming mayor, he served on the borough council and was active in numerous community and school organizations. His borough website bio described Gettysburg as his "adopted hometown" and called it the "grandest small town in America."
In addition to stepping down as mayor, Carr also resigned from his position as executive director of the Gettysburg Community Theatre. The theatre's board announced on Facebook that interim leadership would be appointed to ensure a smooth transition, adding that its "priority remains supporting the students, families, artists, and community members who make Gettysburg Community Theatre such a special place."
The Borough Council now has 30 days to appoint a replacement mayor. As reported by WGAL, applications for the position are open through Monday (March 16) at 5 p.m. Eligible applicants must be registered borough voters and must have lived in Gettysburg for at least a year. Anyone interested can get an application by reaching out to a borough council member or the borough secretary.
Moon encouraged residents to step up. "If you believe you have skills to bring to bear for your community, this is the time to think about stepping up for it," he said.
A special council meeting is scheduled for Monday (March 23), when members will hear public statements from applicants and vote to appoint a new mayor that evening. The person chosen will serve until the next municipal election in November 2027.
Former Mayor Frealing told ABC27 that she "would love" to be mayor again. Frealing served as Gettysburg's mayor from 2021 to 2025 before losing her seat to Carr in last year's election.