Dec 3, 2025 - Politics
Roswell voters elect new mayor while incumbent wins in Sandy Springs
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
A former Democratic state representative will be the new mayor of Roswell.
The latest: Unofficial results from Tuesday's election runoff show Mary Robichaux defeated incumbent Kurt Wilson with 53% of the vote.
- Robichaux served District 48 in the State House of Representatives between 2019 and 2023.
- City leaders and Wilson, who was first elected in 2021, have been criticized over the removal of trees at the city's historic Mimosa Hall and a proposal to shut down a segment of Canton Street to create a car-free promenade on summer weekends.
What they're saying: Robichaux told Axios her win shows Roswell voters felt that they were left out of important decisions.
- "Unfortunately, when that happens, things that could have been explained never were, and people become defensive," she said.
- Wilson noted Wednesday in a video uploaded to the city's Facebook page that more than 18,000 people voted in the runoff.
- "People in Roswell really showed up in a big way yesterday, and they spoke with a clear message: It's time for new leadership," Wilson said, adding he and the city will help with the transition to a new mayor.
The intrigue: Robichaux will be Roswell's third mayor since former Mayor Jere Wood stepped down in 2017.
- While the office is limited to two terms, Robichaux said she hopes her time in office will show "we can be one Roswell."
In Sandy Springs, voters are sticking with incumbent Mayor Rusty Paul.
- Paul defeated challenger Dontaye Carter with 69% of the vote, unofficial results show. He told Axios in a statement he's grateful for the "overwhelming support" of Sandy Springs voters.
- Tuesday's race was the second time Carter challenged Paul for the seat.
- Carter said in a Facebook post that he looks forward to working with Paul "because the ideas we pushed forward matter."
The fine print: In Atlanta, Thomas Worthy won the race to succeed retiring Council member Howard Shook for the District 7 seat.
- Wayne Martin won the District 11 race against Nate Jester to replace Council President-elect Marci Collier Overstreet.
- Incumbent Atlanta Board of Education member Tolton Pace lost to challenger Patreece Hutcherson for the District 6 seat.
- Kaycee Brock defeated fellow challenger Royce Mann in the District 8 at-large seat on the school board.
- South Fulton City Council member Carmalitha Gumbs defeated challenger Mark Baker to follow controversial outgoing Mayor Khalid "Kobi" Kamau.
- "This election marks the beginning of a new chapter, a bold future, and a fresh start for South Fulton," Gumbs said.