Several Newcomers will shape 2018 Atlanta City Council; Run-offs Set
(APN) ATLANTA — Several new Councilmembers will shape the City Council of Atlanta that will convene in 2018. This is the largest turnover in eight years, when in 2010, six new Councilmembers joined the Atlanta City Council.
In 2018, there will either be seven or eight new Councilmembers, the number depending on whether Cleta Winslow (District 4) is able to retain her seat in her Run-off Election against challenger Jason Dozier.
In the first installment of the November 07, 2017 City of Atlanta Municipal General Election results coverage, we reviewed seven races where Atlanta City Council incumbents had been reelected:
http://atlantaprogressivenews.com/2017/11/09/bond-archibong-smith-reelected-to-atlanta-council/
In addition, five new Councilmembers were elected, and there are Run-off Elections in Districts 4, 9, and 11.
In part three, we will explore the City Council Run-off between Felicia Moore (District 9) and Alex Wan (District 6).
FIVE NEW COUNCILMEMBERS: FAROKHI, IDE, MATZIGKEIT, BOONE, WESTMORELAND
In the District 2 race, Amir Farokhi won without a Run-off, with 55.3 percent of the vote, for the seat being vacated by Kwanza Hall. Lauren Welsh had the second-most votes, with 30.29 percent of the vote.
In District 6, Jennifer Ide, an attorney and former federal court clerk, defeated Kirk Rich, the former Board Chair of the Atlanta Board of Commercial Realtors, for the open seat being vacated by Alex Wan. Ide received 68.72 percent of the vote.
In District 8, J.P. Matzigkeit, the founder and president of the Chastain Park Conservancy, received 54.19 percent of the vote, for the seat being vacated by Yolanda Adrean. Anna Tillman received 45.81 percent of the vote. Matzigkeit received the support of Adrean.
In District 10, Andrea Boone received a vast majority of the votes, with a stunning 77.25 percent of the vote, for the seat being vacated by C.T. Martin. Boone had previously served as a Legislative Aide to Martin and as Commissioner for the Office of Constituent Services.
Boone was elated and thankful for the support of the voters of District 10.
“I am looking forward to representing District 10 using the skills I have developed during my faithful years of service,” Boone told Atlanta Progressive News.
“Public safety, resources for seniors, improved city services, and economic development will continue to be a top priority,” Boone said.
“You can always count on me to continue to be responsive and to ensure that every voice will be heard,” Boone said.
In the Post 2-at-large race, Matt Westmoreland, who has served as an Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education Member since 2014, and who previously served as a Teach for America teacher, won without a Run-off, for the seat being vacated by Mary Norwood.
Westmoreland won with 63.54 percent of the vote.
RUN-OFFS SET FOR DISTRICTS 4, 9, AND 11
In District 4, Councilwoman Cleta Winslow faces a reelection challenge from Jason Dozier, a progressive activist previously affiliated with the Turner Field Community Benefits Coalition.
Atlanta Progressive News published Dozier’s questionnaire responses in September 2017.
In a crowded field of eight candidates, Winslow received 42.42 percent of the vote, while Dozier received 19.8 percent of the vote.
Winslow has accumulated numerous ethics violations and also had a high-publicized DUI case. But none of these issues has deterred a majority of District 4 voters in the past from supporting Winslow–who is currently the second-longest serving member on Council after C.T. Martin.
In District 9, Dustin Hillis, a former aide to incumbent Felicia Moore, is in a Run-off with Kwame Abernathy, the youngest child of Civil Rights Movement veterans Rev. Dr. Ralph David Abernathy and Juanita Jones. Moore is running for City Council President.
Hillis received 44.17 percent of the vote and Abernathy received 43.84 percent of the vote.
APN published Hillis’s questionnaire responses in August 2017. APN has attempted to reach Abernathy and hopes to publish his questionnaire as soon as possible.
In District 11, two candidates have emerged from a crowded field of eight candidates who are seeking the seat currently held by Keisha Lance Bottoms, who is running for Mayor of Atlanta.
Harold Hardnett, a member of the Atlanta Citizen Review Board and Neighborhood Planning Unit R, had 18.61 percent of the vote.
Marci Overstreet, a member of the Atlanta Commission on Women appointed by Bottoms, received 15.99 percent. Bottoms is supporting Overstreet, according to Edith Ladipo, a former District 11 candidate.
APN has attempted to reach Hardnett and has sent a questionnaire to Overstreet on November 10.
(END / Copyright Atlanta Progressive News / 2017)