Atlanta election: Dickens wins, Overstreet claims victory in council president race
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Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens speaks to reporters during the grand opening ceremony of the Public Safety Training Center on April 29. Photo: Kristal Dixon/Axios
When the Atlanta City Council gavels into session in January, someone new will be running the meeting for the first time in four years.
Driving the news: Marci Collier Overstreet was leading challenger Rohit Malhotra in Tuesday's race for Council president, as of Wednesday afternoon.
- Overstreet is polling with 51% of the vote, compared to Malhotra's 49%. She declared victory in the race early Wednesday.
- The winner will succeed Doug Shipman, who did not seek a second four-year term.
The big picture: The council president's race symbolized the ongoing tension between the city's Democratic establishment and the more progressive residents and activists who have criticized Atlanta's handling of issues like the public safety training center, affordable housing and corruption.
What they're saying: In a statement posted on Facebook, Overstreet thanked her team of volunteers and supporters, and the voters who "believed in me, who showed up, spoke up, and stood up for experienced, principled leadership."
- "I promise to continue leading with integrity, transparency, and a deep love for this city we all call home," she said. "Together, we'll keep building an Atlanta that's safer, stronger, and more connected — one neighborhood at a time.
The other side: Molhatra said in a statement that the nearly 50,000 people who voted for him "cast their ballot on a referendum against politics as usual in Atlanta."
- He also said the desire for change among voters didn't start with his campaign and didn't end Tuesday.
- "To those voters, and all who dare to dream of a city that is inclusive, engaged, and cares for all of its people, we say thank you," Malhotra said Wednesday. "We are building something powerful that is rooted in community and reflects the true face of this city."
Caveat: Despite the lofty title, council presidents have limited power and three main duties: presiding over full body meetings, appointing Council committee members and casting the tie-breaking vote.
Between the lines: The election became contentious, with candidates and their supporters trading jabs over public safety, where they attended school and marital status and debating about which candidate was an outsider (or insider), would allow corruption to go unchecked and was "extreme."
The latest: Here are more of the latest election results, as of midnight Tuesday.
Mayor
Mayor Andre Dickens easily won reelection, defeating political newcomers Helmut Domagalski, Kalema Jackson and Eddie Andrew Meredith. Dickens received 85% of the vote in Tuesday's race.
- Dickens' win continues the trend of incumbent mayors winning a second — and final — four-year term.
Atlanta City Council
Two seats — District 7 and District 11 — will be on the ballot again for the Dec. 2 runoff because none of the candidates received enough support to avoid another election.
- District 7 candidates Thad Flowers (27%) and Thomas Worthy (26%) are leading the race to replace longtime incumbent Howard Shook, who opted not to seek reelection.
- Wayne Martin (37%) and Nate Jester (19%) are both in the running for the runoff for the District 11 seat, which opened up when Overstreet entered the race for City Council president.
District 2 candidate Kelsea Bond appears to be avoiding a runoff with one of her fellow candidates, leading the race 64% of the vote.
- Bond seeks to replace Amir Farokhi, who resigned from the City Council earlier this year to lead The Galloway School.
Incumbents Jason Dozier (District 4), Byron Amos (District 3), Dustin Hillis (District 9), Michael Julian Bond (Post 1 At-Large) and Antonio Lewis (District 12) all won reelection.
The fine print: Council members running unopposed were Matt Westmoreland (Post 2 At-Large), Eshé Collins (Post 3 At-Large) Jason Winston (District 1), Liliana Bakhtiari (District 5), Alex Wan (District 6), Mary Norwood (District 8) and Andrea Boone (District 10).
Board of Education
Three out of the four seats up for reelection to the Atlanta Board of Education will advance to the December runoff.
- District 2 candidates Tony Mitchell (39%) and Marlissa Crawford (37%) are leading the three-way race, with fellow challenger Stephen Owens trailing with 25%.
- Incumbent Tolton Pace (36%) and Patreece Hutcherson (24%) lead the field for the District 6 race, and Kaycee Brock (39%) and Royce Mann (33%) are the top two vote-getters for the District 8 seat.
- Incumbent Jennifer McDonald leads challenger Sanjay Mendonca with 61% of the vote.
What's next: Early voting for the runoff election will take place Nov. 22-26.