As Georgia DUI attorneys at George C. Creal, Jr., P.C., we spend our days navigating the complexities of the legal

system, fighting for our clients’ rights in cases involving traffic violations, DUIs, and more. With the November 4, 2025 election just around the corner, we’re reminded of how crucial civic participation is-not just in the courtroom, but at the ballot box. This year, Georgians will head to the polls for municipal general elections, special elections for the Georgia Public Service Commission, and various local races across metro Atlanta and beyond. These contests may not grab national headlines like a presidential race, but they have a direct impact on our daily lives, including the laws that govern roadways, public safety, and criminal justice.

Voting is a fundamental right and responsibility in our democracy. It’s the mechanism through which we hold leaders accountable and shape the policies that affect our communities. By casting your ballot, you’re contributing to decisions that influence everything from local infrastructure to law enforcement priorities. In a state like Georgia, where traffic laws and DUI regulations are enforced at both state and local levels, your vote can help ensure that our roads are safe while protecting individual rights against overreach.

However, while showing up to vote is essential, it’s even more important to know what and who you’re voting for. Blindly filling out a ballot without understanding the candidates’ positions or the implications of ballot measures can lead to unintended consequences. We’ve seen firsthand how changes in local leadership-such as city council members, mayors, judges, or public service commissioners-can alter the landscape of legal enforcement. For instance:

• Criminal Justice Reforms: Candidates’ stances on issues like sentencing guidelines, probation policies, or funding for law enforcement directly impact how DUI cases are handled. A prosecutor or judge with a balanced view on rehabilitation versus punishment can make the difference between a fair outcome and an overly harsh penalty.
• Traffic and Safety Laws: Local ordinances on alcohol sales, speed limits, or roadside checkpoints often stem from municipal decisions. Voting for leaders who prioritize evidence-based policies can lead to smarter regulations that reduce accidents without infringing on personal freedoms.
• Public Service Commission Roles: In this election’s special PSC races, commissioners oversee utilities and transportation issues, which can indirectly affect road safety and infrastructure funding. Understanding candidates like Tim Echols, Peter Hubbard, Alicia Johnson, or Fitz Johnson and their views on public policy is key to making an informed choice.

Researching these matters doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start by checking official resources like the Georgia Secretary of State’s website for election details, candidate profiles, and sample ballots. Look into nonpartisan voter guides that break down positions on key issues. Ask yourself: Does this candidate support fair and equitable application of the law? Will their policies promote safety without unnecessary burdens on drivers?

At George C. Creal, Jr., P.C., we’ve dedicated over 25 years to defending Georgians facing DUI charges in courts across Atlanta and the state. We know the system inside and out, and we’ve witnessed how informed, engaged citizens lead to better laws and a more just society. This election is your chance to influence that system positively. Don’t just vote-vote smart.

If you’re dealing with a DUI or traffic-related issue, remember that knowledge is power in the legal world too. Contact us at George C. Creal, Jr., P.C. for a free consultation. We’re here 24/7 to fight for you. Stay safe, Georgia, and make your voice count on November 4.

George C. Creal, Jr., P.C. | Atlanta DUI Lawyers | (404) 333-0706 | www.georgecreal.com

Check our Atlanta, Georgia Nov. 4^th, 2025 Factsheet

Candidates for Georgia Public Service Commission in 2025 Special Election

The 2025 Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) special election is set for November 4, 2025, to fill seats in Districts 2 and 3. The PSC regulates utilities, including electricity rates, natural gas, and telecommunications, impacting energy policy statewide. District 2’s term ends in 2030, and District 3’s in 2026. Commissioners are elected statewide but must reside in their district. Republicans currently hold all five seats. Democrats are focusing on rising energy costs, while Republicans emphasize grid reliability. Below are summaries of the candidates’ backgrounds, political leanings, and positions on key issues like utility rates, renewable energy, the Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion, data centers, natural gas/coal, and climate impacts, drawn from campaign details and public records.

District 2: Tim Echols (Republican, Incumbent)

Background: Elected to the PSC in 2010 and reelected in 2016, Echols has served since 2011. He is involved in federal and regional utility regulator groups and frequently attends energy conferences domestically and internationally. He won the Republican primary with about 76% of the vote.

Political Leaning: Conservative Republican, aligned with pro-business and traditional energy interests, including endorsements from the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Utility Rates/Georgia Power Bills: Supported freezing basic electricity rates through 2028 to control costs after multiple increases since 2023, driven by fuel prices, Plant Vogtle overruns, and infrastructure. Attributes high prices to broader inflation, not just PSC decisions.
• Renewable Energy: Strong advocate for solar power and has voted to expand battery storage and some solar in Georgia Power’s fleet.
• Plant Vogtle Nuclear Expansion: Firm supporter of nuclear energy; backed passing most of the $10 billion overruns to ratepayers. Favors more large reactors post-2050 if federal government assumes risks to avoid future cost issues.
• Data Centers and Natural Gas/Coal: Ensures data centers receive needed power without burdening residents, viewing recent billing changes as sufficient. Supports extending coal plant lives and new gas plants for reliability and economic growth.
• Climate and Other Issues: Promotes electric vehicles and nuclear for energy independence, but prioritizes grid stability over rapid fossil fuel phase-out. His approach has sometimes clashed with colleagues on bold energy policies.

District 2: Alicia Johnson (Democrat)

Background: Managing principal at Health Management Associates, focusing on equity, efficiency, and sustainable development in national projects. She serves on boards addressing racial equity, public accountability, and economic opportunity. Unopposed in the Democratic primary, she aims to bring accountability to the PSC.

Political Leaning: Progressive Democrat, emphasizing equity for working families and environmental justice, with endorsements from groups like the SPLC Action Fund.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Utility Rates/Georgia Power Bills: Criticizes the PSC for rubber-stamping Georgia Power’s rate hikes, which strain about 47% of households. Calls for third-party audits of costs, competitive energy procurement for cheaper options, and exhausting financing tools before passing storm damages to customers.
• Renewable Energy: Prioritizes renewables and energy efficiency to meet demand, reduce reliance on volatile fossil fuels, and lower costs; suggests rooftop solar with battery storage.
• Plant Vogtle Nuclear Expansion: Not explicitly detailed, but aligns with scrutiny of cost overruns passed to consumers.
• Data Centers and Natural Gas/Coal: Requires data centers to invest in communities and provide annual reports proving they pay their share without shifting costs. Advocates regional Southeastern cooperation for transmission to minimize new grid generation; blames fossil fuels for health issues like asthma and climate effects such as storms and flooding.
• Climate and Other Issues: Emphasizes planning for climate change impacts, reducing greenhouse gases, and centering decisions on vulnerable families to promote sustainable, equitable energy policy.

District 3: Fitz Johnson (Republican, Incumbent)

Background: Army veteran with a private sector career; appointed to the PSC in 2021 by Gov. Brian Kemp to replace Chuck Eaton. This is his first election since appointment. Unopposed in the Republican primary, he has endorsements from statewide officials and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

Political Leaning: Conservative Republican, pro-business with a focus on energy independence and reliability; blames federal policies (e.g., Biden administration) for inflation-driven costs.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Utility Rates/Georgia Power Bills: Approved rate increases since 2023, including shifting Vogtle overruns and fuel costs to customers. Acknowledges bill pain as a Georgia Power customer but attributes it to inflation; supported keeping rates steady temporarily but anticipates future requests for Hurricane Helene damages.
• Renewable Energy: Supported adding battery storage and some solar to the utility’s expansion.
• Plant Vogtle Nuclear Expansion: Voted to pass most $10 billion overruns to ratepayers.
• Data Centers and Natural Gas/Coal: Views reliable energy as key to attracting data centers, which could lower other customers’ bills; approved billing oversight to protect residents and is open to more guardrails. Supports extending coal plants and building new gas units for the generation fleet.
• Climate and Other Issues: Sympathizes with climate concerns but insists coal and gas remain essential for energy independence; prioritizes monitoring to ensure fair cost distribution.

District 3: Peter Hubbard (Democrat)

Background: Renewable energy advocate, solar developer, and consultant; leads the nonprofit Georgia Center for Energy Solutions. No prior public office but has testified as an expert in PSC cases for his nonprofit. Won the Democratic primary runoff against Keisha Waites with about 58% of the vote; participated in an Atlanta Press Club debate (Johnson did not).

Political Leaning: Progressive Democrat, focused on clean energy and consumer protection; endorsements include state legislators, labor unions, Georgia Conservation Voters, and Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Utility Rates/Georgia Power Bills: Accuses the PSC of failing to curb rises; criticizes the 2023 Vogtle settlement for passing overruns to customers instead of shareholders for mismanagement. Claims he would have pushed back to limit increases.
• Renewable Energy: Urges more solar and battery storage as low-cost resources to expand deployment significantly.
• Plant Vogtle Nuclear Expansion: Opposed passing most overruns to ratepayers, arguing shareholders should bear some due to mismanagement.
• Data Centers and Natural Gas/Coal: Doubts PSC protections will shield residents from costs, citing redacted information; views new gas plants for data centers as risky investments that could burden households without strong regulation.
• Climate and Other Issues: Aims to clean up the grid, lower bills, and ask tough questions of utilities; open to collaboration but prioritizes Georgians’ interests in innovative, sustainable energy planning.

Candidates for Atlanta City Council President in 2025

The 2025 election for Atlanta City Council President features two main candidates: Rohit Malhotra and Marci Collier Overstreet. Incumbent Doug Shipman is not seeking re-election. The non-partisan general election is scheduled for November 4, 2025, with early voting from October 14 to 31, 2025. Below is a summary of each candidate’s background, political leaning, and positions on key issues facing Atlanta, such as public safety (including the controversial Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, often called “Cop City”), housing affordability, transportation, economic inequality, and other relevant topics. Information is drawn from campaign materials, debates, and public records.

Rohit Malhotra

Background: Malhotra is a Atlanta native raised by Indian immigrant parents who ran a small business. He holds a BA from Emory University and an MPP from Harvard Kennedy School. With 15 years in advocacy, community organizing, and public policy, he served as an Ash Innovation Fellow during the Obama Administration. He founded and led the Center for Civic Innovation for a decade, focusing on inequality through data-driven initiatives. His work includes reviewing Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Unit system, supporting COVID-19 frontline providers, reducing gun violence, and providing 0% interest loans to majority Black and women-led enterprises. He has served on boards like HouseATL (affordable housing), ProGeorgia (democracy strategy), and the Atlanta Hawks (community engagement). Recognized by figures like the late Congressman John Lewis as a “good troublemaker,” Malhotra lives in Summerhill/Grant Park and emphasizes civic innovation and social impact.

Political Leaning: Progressive outsider with a focus on justice, transparency, and community-centered governance. He positions himself against establishment politics and national divisiveness, advocating for data-driven reforms to address inequality.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Public Safety: Supports expanding alternatives to traditional policing, such as repurposing the Atlanta City Detention Center into a social services hub for mental health and job training (criticizing the city’s failure to do so since 2019). Strongly opposes Cop City, calling for a voter referendum and accusing the council of ignoring public input and “doxxing” petition signers. Denies supporting “defund the police” and emphasizes honest discussions on land and power rather than anti-police rhetoric. Also advocates for gun violence reduction through grassroots strategies.
• Housing: Prioritizes affordable housing to combat rising costs, including co-authoring policy recommendations via HouseATL and enhancing neighborhood engagement.
• Transportation: Calls for accessible transit to support families and small businesses amid economic pressures.
• Economy: Focuses on inclusive growth, addressing Atlanta’s booming economy that benefits few; supports small businesses, character-based loans for underrepresented entrepreneurs, and opportunities for neighborhoods.
• Other Issues: Pushes for voter participation, democracy reforms, arts and culture investment, and transparent government to make City Hall more responsive.

Marci Collier Overstreet

Background: A lifelong Atlantan and Atlanta Public Schools graduate (Benjamin E. Mays High School, 1983), Overstreet earned a BA in Journalism from Georgia State University. She has over 25 years in leadership roles through corporate work, volunteerism, and community organizations, including PTSA involvement for families, seniors, and youth. Elected to Atlanta City Council in 2017, she has represented District 11 (southwest Atlanta) since 2018, focusing on her roots in the area where she raised her family. Her experience emphasizes service, building relationships with constituents, and preserving historic community elements.

Political Leaning: Establishment insider with a collaborative, principled approach. She aligns with moderate, pro-business and pro-police stances, opposing what she calls “extremism” and favoring partnerships with entities like Fulton County.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Public Safety: Strong supporter of Cop City ($115 million facility), voting for its funding in 2023 and advocating as a “proven leader” for police resources. Criticizes opponents as anti-police extremists and supports collaborative solutions for jail overcrowding (e.g., leasing space to Fulton County until 2026). Emphasizes deterring crime through neighborhood unity and opposes disruptive protest tactics. Focuses on supporting families as the core of safe communities.
• Housing: Advocates for age-friendly communities and neighborhood support to ensure vibrant, inclusive living, though specifics are general.
• Transportation: Prioritizes improving mobility as part of broader community enhancements.
• Economy: Supports economic development to foster growth, including amenities and conveniences for residents of all ages.
• Other Issues: Emphasizes technology investments, transparency, supporting children/seniors, and preserving historic districts while adding recreational opportunities. Aims to build strong constituent relationships for an equitable, unified Atlanta.

Candidates for Atlanta Mayor in 2025

The 2025 Atlanta mayoral election is a non-partisan race scheduled for November 4, 2025, with early voting from October 14 to 31, 2025. Incumbent Andre Dickens is seeking re-election against three challengers: Helmut “Love” Domagalski, Kalema Jackson, and Eddie Meredith. The mayor oversees city departments, agencies, and initiatives addressing Atlanta’s challenges like public safety (including the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, or “Cop City”), housing affordability, transportation, economic inequality, infrastructure, and homelessness. Below is a summary of each candidate’s background, political leaning, and positions on key issues, based on campaign materials, debates, and public records.

Andre Dickens (Incumbent)

Background: A native Atlantan and Atlanta Public Schools graduate, Dickens holds degrees in electrical engineering and business. He served on the Atlanta City Council from 2014 to 2022 before becoming the 61st mayor in 2022. His career includes roles in technology, entrepreneurship, and community development, with a focus on equity and opportunity. He was named “Georgian of the Year” by Georgia Trend for his leadership.

Political Leaning: Progressive Democrat, emphasizing collaboration, equity, and community investment in a non-partisan context.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Public Safety: Supports the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center (Cop City) as essential for police recruitment and training, arguing it has contributed to reduced crime rates under his administration. Highlights major improvements in safety and partnerships with law enforcement.
• Housing: Aims to build another 10,000 affordable housing units in a second term, following initiatives like a $40 million Housing Opportunity Bond and ordinances to expand access. Prioritizes tackling income inequality and preventing displacement.
• Transportation: Pushes for creating an Atlanta Department of Transportation (DOT) to improve infrastructure, public transit, and mobility, including studying a unified transportation department.
• Economy: Focuses on “People Over Profits,” expanding opportunities for all residents, economic growth, and senior discounts to address inequality.
• Other Issues: Emphasizes infrastructure repairs (e.g., water systems), homelessness reduction through services, and preparing for events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup to boost the city.

Helmut “Love” Domagalski

Background: A corporate consultant specializing in health care, with a master’s in biomedical engineering from the University of Texas and a degree from Northwestern University. He is a former U.S. Army inspector general and founder of Atlanta’s LGBTQ Republicans. No prior elected office, but active in community and nonprofit work.

Political Leaning: Conservative Republican, focusing on anti-corruption, private-sector innovation, and local priorities over national politics.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Public Safety: Advocates hiring and supporting more police while implementing accountability through the Atlanta Public Safety Center and private-public partnerships. Views safety as critical amid economic challenges.
• Housing: Supports fast-tracking public housing projects, fractional ownership for renters to build equity, mixed-use zoning, and incentives like rent control and Section 8 enforcement in collaboration with the state.
• Transportation: Proposes a city RideShare app for carpooling, completing the Beltline rail, rebranding MARTA for better corridors, and corporate sponsorships for street repairs to combat potholes and congestion.
• Economy: Emphasizes tech advancements like AI, cutting the city budget without reducing safety services, and attracting businesses through transportation and “Come to Georgia” initiatives.
• Other Issues: On homelessness, calls for a “One Humanity” executive to coordinate nonprofits, partnerships with faith groups, and programs for the mentally ill/addicted. For LGBTQ+ empowerment, prioritizes financial literacy, entrepreneurship support, and community spaces over new centers.

Kalema Jackson

Background: A former Atlanta police officer with experience in law enforcement. No prior elected office; emphasizes his public safety expertise as a key qualification for mayor.

Political Leaning: Democrat, aligned with pro-law enforcement and infrastructure-focused policies.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Public Safety: Prioritizes recruiting more officers and enforcing laws strictly, viewing safety as more critical than utilities. Supports alignment with state and federal resources for consistent support.
• Housing: Advocates redirecting federal infrastructure funds toward housing to address affordability and crumbling systems.
• Transportation: Limited details, but ties into broader infrastructure repairs, criticizing lack of forward-moving policies.
• Economy: Focuses on fixing economic challenges through better infrastructure and policy alignment.
• Other Issues: Emphasizes repairing critical infrastructure like water systems on the west side and supporting the current federal administration for city needs.

Eddie Meredith

Background: A community advocate who grew up in Atlanta’s Fourth Ward and spent teenage years in Oakland, California, helping vulnerable residents. Involved in faith-based community programs since 1999; no high-profile political or business experience.

Political Leaning: Not explicitly stated; appears independent or community-focused, with an emphasis on serving residents over traditional politics.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Public Safety: Addresses drug-related crimes as part of broader community support, but limited specifics.
• Housing: Pushes for affordable and free housing, including $50 million budgeted for vulnerable residents’ programs like safe zones for families.
• Transportation: Supports expanding free fare transit routes to underserved areas.
• Economy: Focuses on tech-focused youth trade programs, community investment, and helping lifelong Atlantans invest in the city to combat financial emergencies and inequality.
• Other Issues: Prioritizes access to city resources like internet for underserved communities and serving neighborhood needs first.

Candidates for Atlanta City Council Post 1 At-Large in 2025

The 2025 Atlanta City Council Post 1 At-Large election is a non-partisan race scheduled for November 4, 2025, with early voting ending October 31, 2025, and a potential runoff on December 2 if no candidate wins a majority. This at-large seat represents the entire city, focusing on citywide issues like public safety (including gun violence and the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, or “Cop City”), housing affordability and gentrification, transportation (e.g., BeltLine, MARTA, streets), economic inequality, water infrastructure, and homelessness. The incumbent, Michael Julian Bond, faces challengers Juan Mendoza and Matthew Rinker. Below is a summary of each candidate’s background, political leaning, and positions on key issues, based on campaign materials, questionnaires, and public records.

Michael Julian Bond (Incumbent)

Background: A lifelong Atlantan and son of civil rights leader Julian Bond, he holds degrees in graphic design and has worked as a graphic artist and consultant. Elected to the Atlanta City Council in 1993 for District 3 and since 2009 for Post 1 At-Large, Bond has focused on infrastructure, community development, and reparations (e.g., appointing members to the Reparations Study Commission). He positions himself as an experienced public servant representing over 450,000 residents, with involvement in initiatives like Invest Atlanta’s housing programs.

Political Leaning: Democrat with a progressive emphasis on civil rights, equity, and community collaboration, though critics note moderate stances on development and safety.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Public Safety: Advocates an “all-hands-on-deck” approach to gun violence, modeling Chicago’s Community Violence Interventions with an Atlanta Safety Cabinet, 90-day hotspot plans (e.g., fixing lighting), funding for youth programs like “Light the Night,” and expanded 911 behavioral health teams. Supports publishing weekly police beat scorecards for transparency.
• Housing: Opposes gentrification as “eviction by another name,” pushing for expanded senior tax exemptions, automatic subsidy eligibility, homeownership for public servants, and middle-housing options like duplexes to include legacy residents in growth.
• Transportation: Supports BeltLine transit but prioritizes neglected areas like District 11 (e.g., Campbellton corridor). Calls for citywide infrastructure revitalization to match economic growth, criticizing long-term neglect leading to potholes; proposes permeable roads integrated with water fixes and traffic audits for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• Economy: Highlights Atlanta’s successes (e.g., FIFA, Super Bowl) but stresses shared prosperity, addressing burdens on residents from unaddressed infrastructure.
• Other Issues: For water infrastructure, proposes 24/7 construction schedules using allocated funds efficiently. Supports stronger short-term rental enforcement and a “Welcome to Atlanta” campaign for major events. On federal overreach (e.g., under a potential Trump administration), commits to protecting city policies on immigration and LGBTQ+ rights through local ordinances.

Juan Mendoza

Background: President of the Old Fourth Ward Business Association, Mendoza has led public safety efforts like the Edgewood Corridor Task Force and “Safe Tent” initiative. A community organizer and business leader, he emphasizes his involvement in neighborhood revitalization and economic mobility programs. No prior elected office.

Political Leaning: Nonpartisan with progressive leanings on urban planning and equity, endorsed by pro-housing groups like Abundant Housing Atlanta for reform-focused policies.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Public Safety: Increase police staffing with de-escalation and sensitivity training; require officers to live in communities. Long-term, invest in youth mentorship, economic mobility, and state-level gun laws to reduce access while supporting responsible ownership. Attributes violence to easy firearm access and resource gaps.
• Housing: Advocate bold zoning reforms (e.g., no parking minimums, streamlined permitting) for more affordable units; strengthen code enforcement on blighted properties; use public land, tax abatements, and social housing for deep affordability. Improve outreach for programs like the Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fund, especially for seniors.
• Transportation: Improve procurement efficiency, transparency, and partnerships with MARTA for BeltLine/transit projects; restrict funds to dedicated accounts. For streets/potholes, use drones for priorities, public-private partnerships to accelerate repairs ahead of FIFA World Cup.
• Economy: Fight poverty (affecting ~20% of residents) through better wages, transit access to jobs/education, and inclusive growth.
• Other Issues: Shift to proactive water management with data-driven plans, predictive modeling, and dedicated funding like a trust fund. On federal overreach, pledges to safeguard local policies on reproductive rights and immigration.

Matthew Rinker

Background: President of the Peoplestown Neighborhood Association, Rinker grew up in a working-class family (father a union welder, mother a college graduate post-children). An LGBTQ+ advocate, he has focused on neighborhood revitalization and community organizing. No prior elected office, but active in local issues like historic preservation.

Political Leaning: Nonpartisan with progressive elements on social justice and equity, supported by LGBTQ+ groups like Victory Fund; emphasizes accountability and community focus over establishment politics.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Public Safety: Treat gun violence as a public health emergency; expand community policing, foot patrols, and housing subsidies for first responders. Boost gun buybacks, partner with anti-violence groups, enforce codes on blighted properties, and improve street lighting.
• Housing: Prevent displacement in historic areas like Peoplestown with expanded homestead exemptions, tax freezes for seniors/low-income, stronger affordability in developments, grants for legacy businesses, and community benefits agreements.
• Transportation: Demand MARTA accountability for BeltLine funds, enforce timelines, and prioritize equitable connections (e.g., Southwest, Southeast). For streets/potholes, set 48-hour repair standards, fines for delays, and full restorations; commit to ongoing maintenance beyond FIFA World Cup.
• Economy: Promote equitable growth via transit to spur jobs and opportunities across neighborhoods.
• Other Issues: For water infrastructure, require timelines, quarterly reports, and prioritized assessments for $2 billion repairs; criticizes incumbent oversight. On federal overreach, vows to defend city autonomy on voting rights and environmental policies.

Candidates for Atlanta City Council District 2 in 2025

The 2025 Atlanta City Council District 2 election is a non-partisan race on November 4, 2025, with early voting ending October 31, 2025, and a potential runoff on December 2 if no candidate wins a majority. The district covers areas like Midtown, Downtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, Poncey-Highland, and Candler Park. The seat is open following the resignation of Amir Farokhi. Five candidates are on the ballot: Kelsea Bond, William Jacob Chambers, Alex Bevel Jones, Courtney Smith, and James White III. Below is a summary of each candidate’s background, political leaning, and positions on key issues like public safety, housing affordability, transportation, economic inequality, infrastructure, and federal overreach, based on campaign materials, forums, and public records.

Kelsea Bond

Background: A community organizer affiliated with the Atlanta Democratic Socialists of America and United Campus Workers. Bond is an LGBTQ+ candidate with experience in labor and social justice advocacy, running for office for the first time.

Political Leaning: Democratic Socialist, progressive with a focus on workers’ rights, equity, and anti-corporate influence.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Public Safety: Supports reallocating police budget funds to initiatives like Vision Zero for pedestrian and cyclist safety.
• Housing: Prioritizes affordable housing integrated with transit to combat skyrocketing costs and inequality; sees District 2 as a microcosm of citywide gentrification.
• Transportation: Advocates for dense developments near transit, a robust light rail system like Berlin’s, and immediate Vision Zero implementation to eliminate traffic fatalities.
• Economy: Focuses on reducing income inequality by putting people over corporate interests; supports progressive taxation (e.g., mansion taxes) to fund services.
• Other Issues: Champions a Green New Deal for climate action; favors citywide participatory budgeting with accessible hearings and polls; promotes know-your-rights education for immigrants and LGBTQ+ residents against federal overreach.

William Jacob Chambers

Background: An engineer and problem-solver with leadership experience, running as a first-time candidate. Chambers emphasizes practical solutions to urban challenges.

Political Leaning: Nonpartisan, with progressive views on housing and transit equity.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Public Safety: Supports street designs that prevent unsafe driving as part of Vision Zero.
• Housing: Advocates zoning reforms for “gentle density” like townhomes and condos around MARTA stations to increase affordability.
• Transportation: Pushes for MARTA expansion modeled after Tokyo’s system, immediate Vision Zero, and neighborhood-scale commercial development tied to transit.
• Economy: Focuses on inclusive growth through better infrastructure.
• Other Issues: Open to participatory budgeting starting at the district level, with accessible meetings; emphasizes self-reliance in infrastructure to counter federal overreach.

Alex Bevel Jones

Background: Former congressional intern and president of the Virginia-Highland Civic Association, with experience in community advocacy and neighborhood leadership.

Political Leaning: Nonpartisan, moderate with emphasis on collaboration and transparency.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Public Safety: Supports tactical urbanism for cyclist safety as part of Vision Zero.
• Housing: Favors transit-oriented development to ensure affordability.
• Transportation: Advocates for every development to consider transit, pop-up bike lanes, and a bike lane on the BeltLine; endorses Vision Zero.
• Economy: Aims to balance growth with resident needs.
• Other Issues: Calls for budget transparency; reduce reliance on federal funds through reserves and grants; increase funding for LGBTQ+ and immigrant offices.

Courtney Smith

Background: Civic leader, community advocate, and change-maker with a focus on delivering results and building for the future.

Political Leaning: Nonpartisan, collaborative approach.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Public Safety: Tied to transit safety in Vision Zero support.
• Housing: Prioritizes affordable housing as the greatest issue; supports expanding density creatively.
• Transportation: Calls for reinventing curbside management (e.g., loading zones, rideshare drop-offs); expand density where comfortable.
• Economy: Views District 2 as an economic engine; create innovative revenue for citywide allocation.
• Other Issues: Beta test participatory budgeting across districts; maintain vigilance and collaborative leadership against federal overreach.

James White III

Background: Former Fulton County assistant solicitor and the first formerly incarcerated person to become a prosecutor in the U.S. Works at a real estate law firm; has community involvement in justice reform.

Political Leaning: Nonpartisan, with a focus on redemption, equity, and social justice.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Public Safety: Emphasizes compassion, prevention, and opportunity over arrests; invest in youth, mental health, and housing to build trust; scale back Cop City and redirect funds to community services.
• Housing: Supports zoning reforms to limit investor ownership and increase affordability; addresses gentrification and displacement.
• Transportation: Pushes for equitable MARTA expansion; resolve infrastructure delays like sidewalk backlogs.
• Economy: Critiques pay-to-play politics; ban new data centers in dense areas for equitable growth; focus on social equity in schools and healthcare.
• Other Issues: Favors inclusive participatory budgeting reaching underserved communities; build coalitions and monitor federal actions to protect residents.

Candidates for Atlanta Board of Education Seat 8 At-Large in 2025

The 2025 Atlanta Board of Education Seat 8 At-Large election is a non-partisan race scheduled for November 4, 2025, with early voting ending October 31, 2025, and a potential runoff on December 2 if no candidate wins a majority. This at-large seat represents the entire Atlanta Public Schools (APS) district, which serves over 50,000 students. Incumbent Cynthia Briscoe Brown is not seeking re-election. The three candidates are Kaycee Brock, Royce Mann, and Aisha Stith. Key issues include the $1.85 billion budget, potential school closures due to enrollment imbalances, teacher retention and recruitment, student achievement (e.g., literacy, math, college/career readiness), chronic absenteeism, gun violence prevention, technology use, and federal policy changes affecting DEI and vulnerable students. Below is a summary of each candidate’s background, political leaning (nonpartisan race with no explicit affiliations mentioned), and positions, drawn from campaign materials, questionnaires, and public records.

Kaycee Brock

Background: A postsecondary pathways and staff culture consultant with over 18 years as a public school educator, teacher, school leader, and counselor. She holds a doctoral degree focused on college and career readiness, has worked on literacy interventions, and coached leaders. Her roles include postsecondary access lead at Charter School Growth Fund, director of external impact at KIPP Foundation, and student engagement director for Sen. Raphael Warnock’s runoff campaign. She has experience in curriculum, teacher development, IEPs, and community engagement.

Political Leaning: Nonpartisan; emphasizes equity, transparency, and evidence-based practices.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Budget: Prioritizes protecting classrooms, transparency, and community-centered decisions; invests in evidence-based literacy/math programs, resources for students in poverty, and services for vulnerable populations (e.g., transportation, nutrition). Deprioritizes low-impact pilots; uses facility shifts to fund student outcomes.
• School Closures: Views closures as difficult but necessary if data-driven and transparent; focuses on student outcomes and community impact, partnering with affected families post-decision.
• Teacher Retention: Advocates competitive pay, bonuses for high-need roles, high-quality professional development, and clear career pathways; invests in staff to create joyful schools.
• Student Achievement: Supports high-fidelity science of reading/phonics for literacy with coaching and assessments; conceptual math understanding with interventions. Aims for strategic plan goals through targeted tutoring, partnerships, and equity-focused monitoring.
• Chronic Absenteeism: Uses school attendance teams, counselors, and liaisons to address barriers; family-centered strategies with flexibility.
• Gun Violence: Not explicitly detailed.
• Technology: Supports AI for literacy screenings and equipping teachers for equitable outcomes.
• Other Issues (Federal Changes/DEI): Protects opportunity-gap programs, ensures safety and value for students/families; preserves high-impact supports through partnerships and district funding if federal programs end.

Royce Mann

Background: A native Atlantan and APS graduate (Grady High School, 2020) with a bachelor’s in political science from Emory University. He co-founded and served as Georgia legislative director for March for Our Lives, was a policy intern for the Board of Education, legislative intern for Sen. Jon Ossoff, and deputy state director for Rise (focusing on affordable higher education). He served on Grady’s GO-Team, the district’s LGBTQIA+ Task Force, and advocated for equitable funding and mental health.

Political Leaning: Nonpartisan; progressive focus on equity, anti-defunding public schools, and opposing curriculum censorship/DEI restrictions.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Budget: Focuses on student outcomes for marginalized students; ends wasteful contracts, demands fair taxes from corporations, rejects TAD extensions, captures event revenue (e.g., 2026 World Cup), maximizes state funding with poverty weights. Invests in support staff, wraparounds, career pathways, and Pre-K.
• School Closures: Prefers attracting students via innovative programs (arts/STEM magnets, IB expansion) over closures; transparent, community-guided process. Repurpose sites for support hubs, early learning, or vocational programs if needed.
• Teacher Retention: Expands mentorship, best-practice sharing, National Board Certification support, co-teaching, professional development for paraprofessionals, and mental health services to reduce burdens.
• Student Achievement: Implements Science of Reading across grades, remedial support, educator feedback loops; invests in early ed, tutoring hubs, wraparounds, CTAE expansion. Opposes vouchers; narrows proficiency gaps by race, reduces absenteeism, boosts postsecondary enrollment.
• Chronic Absenteeism: Increases pre-year family engagement, door-to-door outreach, physical resources; free transit for high schoolers.
• Gun Violence: Addresses roots via doubled counselors, mental health services, violence intervention specialists; supports state safe storage laws and background checks.
• Technology: Bans cellphones during instruction (teacher exceptions); integrates AI/social media into life skills courses for responsible use.
• Other Issues (Federal Changes/DEI): Opposes DEI crackdowns with inclusive curricula, sex ed, trans/nonbinary protections; increases local revenue, partnerships, formula adjustments if federal programs end.

Aisha Stith

Background: A sociologist pursuing a master’s at the University of Miami, with experience in corporate communications, social media, and change management. She is a co-founder/social media director for Pickleballin’ Lifestyle Club, site engagement manager for Morgan Stanley, and content creator for ASPR. She has PTA leadership roles, served on Morningside Elementary GO Team, and has three children in APS; emphasizes bridging communities from her citywide upbringing.

Political Leaning: Nonpartisan; focuses on community unity and ingenuity.

Positions on Key Issues:

• Budget: Overhauls to excise ineffective elements; prioritizes vulnerable children, does more with less. Emphasizes transparency, partnership, and wise resource use for early ed/literacy.
• School Closures: Supports if appropriate, strengthening communities via better services/programs; avoids district-wide simultaneous closures.
• Teacher Retention: Brings back sabbaticals for burnout, higher wages post-overhaul to compete regionally/nationally; rigorous checks/training for special ed staff.
• Student Achievement: Uses research/innovation for literacy/numeracy; surveys for SEL, partners for food services to aid absenteeism. Supports restorative justice to reduce discipline disparities.
• Chronic Absenteeism: Offers exciting hot meals (e.g., breakfast sandwiches, vendor partnerships like Boston) for food-insecure areas.
• Gun Violence: Not explicitly detailed.
• Technology: Not explicitly detailed.
• Other Issues (Federal Changes/DEI): Uses ingenuity/language changes for DEI goals; focuses on vulnerable (poor) students for economic mobility.

Judge JaDawnya C. Baker – Retention for Atlanta Municipal Court in 2025

The 2025 retention vote for Atlanta Municipal Court judges, including Judge JaDawnya C. Baker, is a non-partisan yes/no decision on November 4, 2025, where voters decide whether to retain her in office for another term. Atlanta Municipal Court handles traffic violations, misdemeanors, ordinances, and preliminary hearings. Judge Baker’s term ends January 5, 2026, and she is seeking retention without opposition. Below is a summary of her background, political leaning, and positions on issues facing Atlanta, based on public records, court biographies, and judicial ethics proceedings. As a judge, she does not campaign on policy platforms like political candidates, and limited information is available on her views on broader city issues.

Background

Judge JaDawnya C. Baker (formerly JaDawnya Butler) is a native Atlantan with over 20 years in the legal field. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and History (with honors) from Spelman College in 2001 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2004. Before joining the bench, she founded and ran The Butler Law Group, LLC, a boutique law firm serving the Atlanta community. She later served as a Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney in Fulton County, handling cases in non-complex and complex trials, community prosecution, public integrity, and crimes against women and children divisions. From 2012 to 2015, she was a guest legal analyst on HLN shows like “On the Case,” “Evening Express,” and “HLN After Dark.”

Appointed to the Atlanta Municipal Court by Mayor Kasim Reed in 2015, she primarily presides over general traffic matters. She was re-elected without opposition in 2021. In 2023, she was shortlisted for a Fulton County Superior Court judgeship. Baker has held leadership roles, including current President of the Georgia Council of Municipal Court Judges, past President of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA), and member of the Atlanta Bar Association, National Bar Association, and State Bar of Georgia’s Board of Governors. She founded GABWA’s Judicial & Public Office Academy and Trial Masters Boot Camp, programs aimed at preparing attorneys for judicial and public roles. She is also a member of the 2013 Outstanding Atlanta Class and LEAD Atlanta.

In 2022, Baker faced an ethics inquiry from the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission for allegedly using court staff for personal errands (e.g., picking up her child, handling dry cleaning). The matter was resolved with a public reprimand from the Georgia Supreme Court, where she acknowledged the violations and quoted Proverbs on the importance of correction.

Political Leaning

As a municipal court judge in a non-partisan position, Baker does not publicly affiliate with any political party. Judicial roles in Georgia emphasize impartiality, and her background focuses on legal service rather than partisan advocacy. No explicit political leaning is documented in available sources.

Positions on Key Issues Facing Atlanta

Judges like Baker do not typically endorse policy positions on citywide issues (e.g., public safety, housing, transportation, or economic inequality) to maintain judicial neutrality. Her role is limited to adjudicating cases in municipal court, such as traffic violations and ordinances, rather than shaping broader policy. No campaign website, platform statements, or public positions on Atlanta’s challenges (e.g., crime, homelessness, or infrastructure) were found as of September 2025. However, her professional involvement provides indirect insights:

• Public Safety and Criminal Justice: Through her prosecutorial background in crimes against women and children, and as a municipal judge handling traffic and misdemeanor cases, Baker has emphasized fair and efficient court operations. As President of the Georgia Council of Municipal Court Judges, she has spoken on judicial administration, ethics, and conduct in interviews and videos, advocating for professional development and community involvement in the legal system.
• Community and Equity: Her founding of programs like the Judicial & Public Office Academy (which trains diverse attorneys for public service) and her GABWA leadership highlight a focus on increasing representation and access in the legal field, potentially addressing equity issues in Atlanta’s justice system.
• Ethics and Accountability: In response to her 2022 reprimand, Baker publicly accepted responsibility, emphasizing personal growth and ethical standards for judges, which could relate to broader calls for transparency in Atlanta’s government.

Voters considering retention may weigh her experience against the ethics incident. No endorsements or opposition campaigns were prominently noted in searches.

Judge Ardra L. Bey – Retention for Atlanta Municipal Court in 2025

The 2025 retention vote for Atlanta Municipal Court judges, including Judge Ardra L. Bey, is a non-partisan yes/no decision on November 4, 2025, where voters decide whether to retain her in office for another term. Atlanta Municipal Court handles traffic violations, misdemeanors, ordinances, and preliminary hearings. Judge Bey’s term ends January 5, 2026, and she is seeking retention without opposition. Below is a summary of her background, political leaning, and positions on issues facing Atlanta, based on public records, court biographies, and her website. As a judge, she does not campaign on policy platforms like political candidates, and limited information is available on her views on broader city issues.

Background

Judge Ardra L. Bey is an Atlanta native with over 20 years in the legal field. She earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law. Before her judicial role, she practiced law for over 12 years in state and federal courts in Alabama and Georgia, starting at a boutique firm in Alabama where she represented businesses in contract disputes, the Alabama Teachers’ Union, and city governments. Upon returning to Georgia, she handled complex civil litigation and defended clients in serious criminal cases in State and Superior Courts. She worked as a very effective contract Public Defender in Clayton and Henry Counties. She has handled over 100 jury and bench trials as an attorney and is recognized for her work on veterans’ rights, including authoring legal articles.

Appointed to the Atlanta Municipal Court by Mayor Kasim Reed in 2016, she primarily presides over general traffic matters, misdemeanors, and DUI cases, having overseen more than 30,000 cases. In 2024, she ran for a Fulton County State Court judgeship in the May 21 nonpartisan election but did not win, leading to her current retention bid for the Municipal Court. She is involved in community and professional organizations, including Ebenezer Baptist Church, Buckhead Business Association, Gate City Bar Association, Atlanta Bar Association, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA), and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She has 12 years of community service and has spoken on topics like law and neuroscience, as well as military service and child custody.

No ethics complaints, controversies, or judicial qualifications issues were found in searches of Georgia records or public sources.

Political Leaning

As a municipal court judge in a non-partisan position, Bey does not publicly affiliate with any political party. Judicial roles in Georgia emphasize impartiality, and her background focuses on legal and community service rather than partisan advocacy. No explicit political leaning is documented.

Positions on Key Issues Facing Atlanta

Judges like Bey do not typically endorse policy positions on citywide issues (e.g., public safety, housing, transportation, or economic inequality) to maintain judicial neutrality. Her role is limited to adjudicating cases in municipal court, such as traffic and ordinance violations, rather than shaping broader policy. No campaign platform statements or public positions on Atlanta’s challenges were found. However, her professional emphasis provides indirect insights:

• Public Safety and Criminal Justice: As a judge handling traffic, DUI, and misdemeanor cases, Bey focuses on fair and impartial application of the law. Her prior criminal defense work and advocacy for veterans’ rights suggest a commitment to equitable justice.
• Community and Equity: Through her involvement in organizations like GABWA and her emphasis on equity and public service, she promotes access to justice and community well-being, potentially addressing disparities in Atlanta’s legal system.

Voters considering retention may evaluate her experience and lack of controversies. No endorsements or opposition campaigns were noted.

Judge Crystal A. Gaines – Retention for Atlanta Municipal Court in 2025

The 2025 retention vote for Atlanta Municipal Court judges, including Judge Crystal A. Gaines, is a non-partisan yes/no decision on November 4, 2025, where voters decide whether to retain her in office for another term. Atlanta Municipal Court handles traffic violations, misdemeanors, ordinances, and preliminary hearings. Judge Gaines’ term ends January 5, 2026, and she is seeking retention without opposition.

Background

Judge Crystal A. Gaines has over 30 years of legal experience, with expertise in criminal law, jury and non-jury trials, and legal administration. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Albany State College in 1984, a Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 1989, and a Master of Laws in Litigation from Atlanta Law School in 1994. Her career includes developing seminars for the Georgia Indigent Defense Council and contributing to the establishment of the Drug Defense Resource Center (GDIC) and Fulton County Defenders, Inc. She participated in the international monitoring program for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings in South Africa. Appointed as a full-time judge in the City Court of Atlanta by Mayor Bill Campbell in 2001, she was reappointed to the Atlanta Municipal Court by Mayor Shirley Franklin in 2005, where she primarily presides over general traffic matters. She has held leadership roles in organizations such as the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA), Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, ACLU (Executive Board, 1991), National Lawyers Guild (Committee on South Africa), Atlantans for Democracy in South Africa (Chairperson, 1992), America Friends Service Committee (Executive Committee Chair, 1996-1999), Fulton County Conflict Defender, Inc. (Board President), National Legal Aid and Defender Association, National Conference of Black Lawyers, National Council of Negro Women, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. No ethics violations or controversies were noted in public records.

Political Leaning

As a municipal court judge in a non-partisan position, Gaines does not publicly affiliate with any political party. Judicial roles in Georgia emphasize impartiality, and her background focuses on legal and community service rather than partisan advocacy. Her affiliations with organizations like the ACLU and National Lawyers Guild suggest possible progressive leanings on issues of civil liberties and social justice, but no explicit political leaning is documented.

Positions on Key Issues Facing Atlanta

Judges like Gaines do not typically endorse policy positions on citywide issues (e.g., public safety, housing, transportation, or economic inequality) to maintain judicial neutrality. Her role is limited to adjudicating cases in municipal court, such as traffic violations and ordinances, rather than shaping broader policy. No campaign website, platform statements, or public positions on Atlanta’s challenges were found as of October 30, 2025. However, her professional involvement provides indirect insights:

• Public Safety and Criminal Justice: Through her expertise in criminal law and work with indigent defense programs, Gaines has focused on fair and efficient court processes, potentially addressing access to justice for underserved communities.
• Community and Equity: Her anti-apartheid activism, ACLU board service, and roles in defender organizations highlight a commitment to civil rights and equity, which could relate to broader efforts to reduce disparities in Atlanta’s justice system.

Voters considering retention may weigh her extensive experience and retention history-she was retained in 2017 with 82.09% approval and in 2021 with 79.3% yes votes. No endorsements or opposition campaigns were prominently noted.

Judge Terrinee L. Gundy – Retention for Atlanta Municipal Court in 2025

The 2025 retention vote for Atlanta Municipal Court judges, including Judge Terrinee L. Gundy, is a non-partisan yes/no decision on November 4, 2025, where voters decide whether to retain her in office for another term. Atlanta Municipal Court handles traffic violations, misdemeanors, ordinances, and preliminary hearings. Judge Gundy’s term ends January 5, 2026, and she is seeking retention without opposition. Below is a summary of her background, political leaning, and positions on issues facing Atlanta, based on public records, court biographies, and judicial proceedings. As a judge, she does not campaign on policy platforms like political candidates, and limited information is available on her views on broader city issues.

Background

Judge Terrinee L. Gundy is an Atlanta native with over 20 years in the legal field. She graduated magna cum laude from Clark Atlanta University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a minor in Mathematics in 1996, and received a Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2000. Prior to the bench, she worked as a state and local tax associate for KPMG and Cox Communications, then entered private practice focusing on real estate, business transactions, negotiations, and public/government law. She served as an adjunct professor at John Marshall Law School, teaching “Accounting for Lawyers” and “Law Firm Management.” In 2012, she was appointed to the Magistrate Court of Fulton County. Appointed to the Atlanta Municipal Court by Mayor Kasim Reed in 2013, she currently presides over the DUI (Driving Under the Influence) division.

Gundy is involved in community organizations, including partnerships with the Andrew Young Foundation, the King Center, Woodruff Arts Center, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, National Black Arts Festival, 100 Black Men of Atlanta, and Year Up Atlanta. She has served as an executive board member of the Judicial Section of the National Bar Association and the Gate City Bar Association, and is a member of the National Association of Women Judges, Atlanta Bar Association, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA), and the Council of Municipal Court Judges. She is a member of Elizabeth Baptist Church and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

In 2022, Gundy faced an ethics investigation by the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission for chronic tardiness (e.g., 149 late arrivals in a 10-month period in 2015-2016), absenteeism (122 missed days from 2016-2018), refusing bond hearings for six arrestees in 2017 (leading to extended detention), and creating a hostile work environment by ridiculing attorneys and staff. The Georgia Supreme Court suspended her for 90 days without pay, one of the harshest penalties short of removal, via a consent decree. A pubic defender, who was fired after filing a habeas corpus petition for her clients after Judge allegedly left the courtroom early during a bond hearing causing her clients to stay in jail an additional week, described her courtroom as a “reign of terror” according to an AJC article and her attorney argued the penalty was disproportionate compared to other cases.  My experience with this Judge was that she was professional and accommodating to private attorneys during her stint as the DUI courtroom judge .

Political Leaning

As a municipal court judge in a non-partisan position, Gundy does not publicly affiliate with any political party. Judicial roles in Georgia emphasize impartiality, and her background focuses on legal service rather than partisan advocacy. No explicit political leaning is documented.

Positions on Key Issues Facing Atlanta

Judges like Gundy do not typically endorse policy positions on citywide issues (e.g., public safety, housing, transportation, or economic inequality) to maintain judicial neutrality. Her role is limited to adjudicating cases in municipal court, such as DUI and traffic matters, rather than shaping broader policy. No campaign website, platform statements, or public positions on Atlanta’s challenges were found. However, her professional emphasis provides indirect insights:

• Public Safety and Criminal Justice: As a DUI division judge, Gundy focuses on fair and efficient handling of traffic and misdemeanor cases, potentially contributing to road safety enforcement.
• Community and Equity: Her community involvement with organizations like the King Center and GABWA highlights a commitment to civil rights and equity, which could relate to addressing disparities in Atlanta’s justice system.

Voters considering retention may weigh her experience against the 2022 ethics suspension. No endorsements or opposition campaigns were noted.

Judge Pierce Hand Seitz – Retention for Atlanta Municipal Court in 2025

The 2025 retention vote for Atlanta Municipal Court judges, including Judge Pierce Hand Seitz, is a non-partisan yes/no decision on November 4, 2025, where voters decide whether to retain him in office for another term. Atlanta Municipal Court handles traffic violations, misdemeanors, ordinances, and preliminary hearings. Judge Seitz’s term ends January 5, 2026, and he is seeking retention without opposition.

Background

Judge Pierce Hand Seitz is an Atlanta native who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Emory University (class of 2011) and a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law. Prior to his judicial appointment, he was a respected attorney specializing in tenant rights, civil litigation, and access to quality housing, with a track record of advocating for fundamental dignities in these areas. Appointed to the Atlanta Municipal Court by Mayor Andre Dickens in April 2024, he became the first openly LGBTQ judge on the bench. He presides over the Housing and Code Enforcement Division, handling civil and criminal cases involving blighted properties, housing code violations, and nuisance abatement. He is a resident of Peoplestown, fluent in Spanish, and has been recognized as part of Emory’s 40 Under Forty alumni awards in 2024. He serves on the board of the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia and is involved in community organizations. No ethics violations or controversies were noted in public records.

Political Leaning

As a municipal court judge in a non-partisan position, Seitz does not publicly affiliate with any political party. Judicial roles in Georgia emphasize impartiality, and his background centers on legal and community service rather than partisan advocacy. However, his appointment by Democratic Mayor Andre Dickens and focus on tenant rights and LGBTQ+ issues suggest possible progressive leanings on social justice and equity matters.

Positions on Key Issues Facing Atlanta

Judges like Seitz do not typically endorse policy positions on citywide issues (e.g., public safety, housing, transportation, or economic inequality) to maintain judicial neutrality. His role is limited to adjudicating cases in municipal court, such as housing code violations and ordinances, rather than shaping broader policy. No campaign website, platform statements, or explicit public positions on Atlanta’s challenges were found. However, his professional background provides indirect insights:

• Housing and Equity: As a former tenant-rights lawyer and current judge in the Housing and Code Enforcement Division, Seitz has a track record of safeguarding access to quality housing and addressing blighted properties, which aligns with efforts to combat housing affordability and gentrification in Atlanta.
• Community and Social Justice: His involvement with LGBTQ+ organizations like the Stonewall Bar Association and recognition for community service indicate support for inclusivity and equity, potentially relating to broader efforts to protect vulnerable populations in the city.

Voters considering retention may evaluate his recent appointment and lack of controversies. No endorsements or opposition campaigns were prominently noted.

Judge Gary E. Jackson – Retention for Atlanta Municipal Court in 2025

The 2025 retention vote for Atlanta Municipal Court judges, including Judge Gary E. Jackson, is a non-partisan yes/no decision on November 4, 2025, where voters decide whether to retain him in office for another term. Atlanta Municipal Court handles traffic violations, misdemeanors, ordinances, and preliminary hearings. Judge Jackson’s term ends January 5, 2026, and he is seeking retention without opposition.

Background

Judge Gary E. Jackson is a native Atlantan who graduated from Northside High School (now North Atlanta) in 1968. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1972 and graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1975, where he served as a Senior Editor of the Georgia Law Review. Prior to his judicial appointment, he worked as an Assistant Legislative Counsel to the General Assembly of Georgia and as a Legal Aide to Lt. Gov. Zell Miller. In 1977, he opened a private law practice concentrating in commercial collection matters. In 1984, he was appointed by Mayor Andrew Young as a hearing officer for the Atlanta Bureau of Police Services. Appointed to the Atlanta Municipal Court by Mayor Shirley Franklin in 2005 (after serving on the City Court of Atlanta), he currently presides over general traffic matters. He has held leadership roles, including president-elect of the Council of Municipal Court Judges of Georgia in 2015 and serving on the Judicial Council of Georgia. In 2022, he received the Frost Ward Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of work in the court and dedication to improving the legal system. No ethics violations or controversies were noted in public records.

Political Leaning

As a municipal court judge in a non-partisan position, Jackson does not publicly affiliate with any political party. Judicial roles in Georgia emphasize impartiality, and his background focuses on legal service rather than partisan advocacy. No explicit political leaning is documented.

Positions on Key Issues Facing Atlanta

Judges like Jackson do not typically endorse policy positions on citywide issues (e.g., public safety, housing, transportation, or economic inequality) to maintain judicial neutrality. His role is limited to adjudicating cases in municipal court, such as traffic violations and ordinances, rather than shaping broader policy. No campaign website, platform statements, or explicit public positions on Atlanta’s challenges were found. However, his professional emphasis provides indirect insights:

• Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement: As a traffic court judge, Jackson has expressed concerns about dangerous drivers, noting a desire to keep them off the roads to protect public safety. He has observed a decline in DUI cases due to ride-sharing services but highlighted new challenges with ride-share operators not bound by traditional taxi rules.

Voters considering retention may evaluate his long tenure and awards. No endorsements or opposition campaigns were prominently noted.

Judge Teresa A. Mann – Retention for Atlanta Municipal Court in 2025

The 2025 retention vote for Atlanta Municipal Court judges, including Judge Teresa A. Mann, is a non-partisan yes/no decision on November 4, 2025, where voters decide whether to retain her in office for another term. Atlanta Municipal Court handles traffic violations, misdemeanors, ordinances, and preliminary hearings. Judge Mann’s term ends January 5, 2026, and she is seeking retention without opposition. She currently presides over the DUI (Driving Under the Influence) division.

Background

Judge Teresa A. Mann is a native of West Virginia who relocated to Atlanta in 1993. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and an Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies from Marshall University in 1990, and a Juris Doctor from West Virginia University College of Law in 1993. Prior to her judicial appointment, she practiced law in the metropolitan Atlanta area for over 27 years, both as a solo practitioner and as a founding partner of the law firm Mann & Moran, PC, litigating civil and criminal cases at local, state, and federal levels. Appointed to the Atlanta Municipal Court by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in 2021 to fill a vacancy due to the passing of a judge, she currently presides over general traffic and civil matters. In 2022, her reported salary was $182,000. No ethics violations or controversies were noted in public records.

Political Leaning

As a municipal court judge in a non-partisan position, Mann does not publicly affiliate with any political party. Judicial roles in Georgia emphasize impartiality, and her background focuses on legal service rather than partisan advocacy. No explicit political leaning is documented.

Positions on Key Issues Facing Atlanta

Judges like Mann do not typically endorse policy positions on citywide issues (e.g., public safety, housing, transportation, or economic inequality) to maintain judicial neutrality. Her role is limited to adjudicating cases in municipal court, such as traffic violations and civil matters, rather than shaping broader policy. No campaign website, platform statements, or explicit public positions on Atlanta’s challenges were found.

Voters considering retention may evaluate her experience and lack of controversies. No endorsements or opposition campaigns were prominently noted.

Judge Christopher T. Portis – Retention for Atlanta Municipal Court in 2025

The 2025 retention vote for Atlanta Municipal Court judges, including Judge Christopher T. Portis, is a non-partisan yes/no decision on November 4, 2025, where voters decide whether to retain him in office for another term. Atlanta Municipal Court handles traffic violations, misdemeanors, ordinances, and preliminary hearings. Judge Portis’s term ends January 5, 2026, and he is seeking retention without opposition.

Background

Judge Christopher T. Portis was appointed to the Atlanta Municipal Court by Mayor Kasim Reed in 2015. He has served as a judge in the court, primarily presiding over general traffic matters, and was elected Chief Judge at one point. In 2018, as Chief Judge, he established the Municipal Court of Atlanta Improvement Task Force to study and recommend reforms to the court’s operational procedures, aiming to enhance justice and service quality. His professional experience includes roles at the Atlanta Municipal Court, and he is based in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. No ethics violations or specific controversies tied to him were noted in public records, though general concerns about municipal judges’ attendance were raised in 2023 without naming individuals.

Political Leaning

As a municipal court judge in a non-partisan position, Portis does not publicly affiliate with any political party. Judicial roles in Georgia emphasize impartiality, and his background focuses on legal service rather than partisan advocacy. No explicit political leaning is documented.

Positions on Key Issues Facing Atlanta

Judges like Portis do not typically endorse policy positions on citywide issues (e.g., public safety, housing, transportation, or economic inequality) to maintain judicial neutrality. His role is limited to adjudicating cases in municipal court, such as traffic violations and ordinances, rather than shaping broader policy. No campaign website, platform statements, or explicit public positions on Atlanta’s challenges were found. However, his professional emphasis provides indirect insights:

• Judicial Efficiency and Reform: Through the 2018 Improvement Task Force, Portis focused on modernizing court operations to better serve Atlanta in the 21st century, emphasizing feedback, ideas, and commitment to justice.

Voters considering retention may evaluate his tenure and reform efforts. No endorsements or opposition campaigns were prominently noted.

Judge Christopher E. Ward – Retention for Atlanta Municipal Court in 2025

The 2025 retention vote for Atlanta Municipal Court judges, including Judge Christopher E. Ward, is a non-partisan yes/no decision on November 4, 2025, where voters decide whether to retain him in office for another term. Atlanta Municipal Court handles traffic violations, misdemeanors, ordinances, and preliminary hearings. Judge Ward’s term ends January 5, 2026, and he is seeking retention without opposition.

Background

Judge Christopher E. Ward is a native Atlantan who graduated from North Fulton High School in 1989. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Morehouse College in 1993 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 1997. Prior to his judicial role, he served as Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, handling non-complex and complex trials, and brought over 14 years of public and private legal experience. Appointed to the Atlanta Municipal Court by Mayor Kasim Reed in 2012, he has presided over general traffic matters and contributed to court improvements, including designing efficient case flow management systems. He served as Deputy Chief Judge from 2018 and was elected Chief Judge in 2024 by his colleagues. In this role, he has focused on optimizing resources and enhancing court operations. No ethics violations or controversies specific to him were noted in public records.

Political Leaning

As a municipal court judge in a non-partisan position, Ward does not publicly affiliate with any political party. Judicial roles in Georgia emphasize impartiality, and his background centers on legal service rather than partisan advocacy. No explicit political leaning is documented.

Positions on Key Issues Facing Atlanta

Judges like Ward do not typically endorse policy positions on citywide issues (e.g., public safety, housing, transportation, or economic inequality) to maintain judicial neutrality. His role is limited to adjudicating cases in municipal court, such as traffic violations and ordinances, rather than shaping broader policy. No campaign website, platform statements, or explicit public positions on Atlanta’s challenges were found. However, his professional emphasis provides indirect insights:

• Public Safety and Judicial Efficiency: As Chief Judge, Ward has prioritized fair and efficient administration of justice, including reforms to help citizens navigate and resolve court issues more easily, which could support broader efforts to improve public safety through streamlined legal processes.
• Community and Equity: He has been recognized for helping individuals, such as through interventions that promote sobriety and life changes, reflecting a commitment to community well-being and rehabilitation over punishment in applicable cases.

Voters considering retention may evaluate his long tenure and reform efforts. No endorsements or opposition campaigns were prominently noted.

Overview of Act 358 (SB 330) Referendum

Act 358, stemming from Georgia Senate Bill 330 (passed in 2025), proposes a $50,000 homestead exemption from City of Atlanta independent school district (Atlanta Public Schools, or APS) ad valorem (property) taxes for educational purposes. This applies to the assessed value of primary residences (homesteads) owned by residents aged 65 or older, regardless of income, starting January 1, 2026, if approved. The exemption is in addition to existing ones and is capped at an aggregate total of $ 487,804,878 across all qualifying properties, limiting annual revenue loss to APS to about $10 million (less than 1% of its $1.85 billion budget). Based on APS’s current millage rate, it could save eligible seniors up to $1000-$1,025 annually, helping with rising property taxes amid fixed incomes. The measure was developed collaboratively between legislators (e.g., former Sen. Jason Esteves) and APS to balance senior relief with school funding needs. Below are the key pros and cons, drawn from analyses, stakeholder views, and public discussions.

Pros

• Financial Relief for Seniors: Provides significant tax savings (up to $1,025/year) for those 65+, helping fixed-income residents manage rising property taxes and costs of living, potentially preventing displacement and allowing aging in place. This could free up funds for healthcare or other essentials, with advocates noting it has a “direct and dramatic impact” on seniors’ ability to stay in their homes.
• Equitable for Lower-Income Seniors: The fixed $50,000 exemption proportionally benefits owners of lower-value homes more (e.g., a $250,000 home gets greater relative relief than a multimillion-dollar one), targeting those most in need without income restrictions.
• Limited Fiscal Impact on Schools: The aggregate cap ($487.8 million total, ~$10 million annually) minimizes revenue loss to APS (<1% of budget), making it more sustainable than uncapped alternatives like the statewide HB 581 (which APS opted out of due to $20-$30 million first-year losses). APS collaborated on the bill, viewing it as a balanced approach that doesn’t overly harm education quality.
• Community and Diversity Benefits: Keeps seniors in neighborhoods, supporting intergenerational diversity and community stability; some argue it’s fair since seniors often lack direct school benefits post-child-rearing.
• Broad Support: Backed by Mayor Andre Dickens, legislators (e.g., Esteves, Rep. Willis), senior advocates (e.g., Atlanta Senior Care Network), and APS itself, positioning Atlanta as a leader in senior tax relief.

Cons

• Revenue Loss to Schools: Reduces APS funding by ~$10 million annually, potentially straining budgets amid inflation, rising costs (e.g., health benefits, compensation), and other state funding cuts; could require contingency plans or millage rate increases (needing voter approval, as APS is over the 20-mill cap).
• Tax Burden Shift to Younger Residents: May increase taxes for under-65 homeowners and renters (via higher rents) to compensate, exacerbating affordability issues for families and working-age people; critics call it an unfair “boomer entitlement” where seniors opt out of funding schools after benefiting.
• No Income Limits: Benefits all seniors 65+, including wealthy ones who may not need relief (e.g., those with high-value homes or substantial assets), potentially making it regressive and less targeted than income-capped programs.
• Long-Term Fiscal Risks: As the population ages, more qualifiers could amplify losses up to the cap; combined with similar Fulton County measures, it adds pressure on education funding without addressing root causes like school mismanagement (e.g., top-heavy administration).
• Limited Opposition but Concerns: While APS supports this capped version (unlike the uncapped statewide one they rejected), public sentiment (e.g., on forums) leans skeptical, with worries about equity and future tax hikes; no major organized opposition, but some view it as prioritizing seniors over schools.