Metro Atlanta voters keep some incumbents, boot others
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"I'm a Georgia Voter" stickers seen in Atlanta on Nov. 5, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images
Atlanta isn't the only place where voters went to the polls to elect a new mayor and City Council members.
Why it matters: Atlanta dominates the metro area, but more people collectively live in counties and municipalities that surround the city.
Driving the news: New people will be sworn in as mayors and City Council members in some cities, while other cities will continue with business as usual, according to preliminary results from the Georgia Secretary of State's Office.
Sandy Springs
Longtime Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul (43%) will face a Dec. 2 runoff challenge from Dontaye Carter (21%).
- The race is a rematch for the pair, as Carter challenged Paul in 2021.
City Council incumbents John Paulson (District 1) and Melissa Mular (District 3) both defeated their challengers. Andrew Chinsky won the District 6 race, and Mary Ford defeated two challengers to claim the District 5 seat.
- Michelle Sullivan and Frank Roberts will advance to the runoff for the District 4 seat.
South Fulton
Neither incumbent Mayor Khalid "Kobi" Kamau nor his predecessor Bill Edwards received enough votes to make it to the runoff.
- Challengers Carmalitha L. Gumbs and Mark Baker will continue their campaigns to become the city's next executive.
Chattahoochee Hills
Camille Lowe defeated fellow challenger Richard Schmidt, who drew widespread criticism after reportedly threatening a city contractor, with 70% of the vote to become Chattahoochee Hills' next mayor.
College Park
Incumbent Council members Joe Carn and Roderick Gay both won re-election to their seats.
Johns Creek
Incumbent Mayor John Bradberry defeated challenger and former City Council member Kelly Stewart with 62% of the vote.
- Incumbent Council members Dilip Tunki (Post 1), Bob Erramilli (Post 3) and Larry DiBiase (Post 5) were also re-elected.
- 61% of voters rejected a referendum on whether the city should issue bonds to construct a performing arts center.
Roswell
- Mayor Kurt Wilson (37%) will face a runoff challenge from Mary Robichaux (36%).
- Jennifer Phillippi defeated Post 4 Council member David Johnson with 56% of the vote.
- Post 5 Council member William Morthland lost his re-election bid to Eren Brumley, who received 52% of the vote.
Marietta
Longtime incumbent Mayor Steve "Thunder" Tumlin won re-election by a razor-thin 87-vote margin over challenger Sam Foster.
- Incumbent Ward 1 Council member Cheryl Richardson was re-elected, Byron "Tee" Anderson won the Ward 4 seat, and Jason Waters was elected to the Ward 2 seat.
- Ward 5 Council member Carlyle Kent, the incumbent, will face former Council member Reggie Copeland in the runoff election.
- The Ward 3 seat goes to a runoff between Daniel Gaddis and Nora Gaudet.
Mableton
Two incumbents lost their re-election bids. Michael McNeely defeated incumbent Dami Oladapo with 55% to claim the District 2 seat.
- Incumbent Patricia Auch lost to challenger Cassandra Lynn Brown, who received 58% of the vote for the District 4 seat.
Clarkston
Incumbent Mayor Beverly H. Burks held off a challenge with an overwhelming 80% of the vote against Sean Alexander-Brite.
Stone Mountain
All incumbents running for office were defeated, including Mayor Beverly Jones, who faced backlash after she took over city bank accounts without informing City Council members, Decaturish reports.