Who will be Brookhaven’s next mayor and District 1 city council member won’t be decided until a runoff election is held on Dec. 5.
Around 7,600 of 32,000 registered voters cast a ballot for mayor, city council and the Brookhaven homestead referendum.
DeKalb County voting precincts closed at 7 p.m. after a steady but slow day at the polls. Early voting and absentee ballots rolled in first at 7:42 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 7. It was after midnight when totals were finalized by DeKalb County Elections.
Early in the evening John Park took the lead in the mayoral race, while Lauren Kiefer and Mark Frost fought for second place.
Four candidates battled for mayor of Brookhaven, and Park and Kiefer finished election night going into a runoff.
Park was serving his second term as City Council District 2 representative prior to joining the race. He was heavily endorsed by Mayor John Ernst and Brookhaven City Council members.
About the runoff Park said, “The next stage of the election begins today. I will continue to tout our accomplishments as well as our vision to fulfill the promise of Brookhaven while pointing our clear contrasts between the candidates.”
Kiefer left her position on Brookhaven Arts and Culture Commission to run for mayor. Reflecting on the race, she’s excited and humbled to be in the run-off election against Park.
“There were more voters who supported change than who supported the broken status quo represented by my opponent. People in Brookhaven are ready for new leadership, ready for fiscal responsibility, and ready for better transparency. I look forward to engaging voters everyday until the runoff, and I am confident that I will be Brookhaven’s next mayor in December,” Kiefer told Rough Draft.
Incumbent councilmember Linley Jones and Michael Diaz are also headed to a runoff on Dec. 5. Diaz resigned his position on Brookhaven Planning Commission to run for City Council.
Jones called the runoff “a strong race by all.”
“I am glad that the citizens of Brookhaven will have another chance to vote for me and what they know I stand for— strong support for police, high ethical standards, and protecting our single-family residential neighborhoods and parks from density,” said Jones.
Diaz said the outpouring of support from Brookhaven’s citizens and volunteers left him humbled and inspired.
“The results show that our community is eager for a fresh perspective on fiscal responsibility, transparency, responsiveness and infrastructure,” said Diaz. “I am committed to maintaining our momentum and ensuring that the voices of our citizens are heard and acted upon in City Hall. As we look toward the runoff, I’m energized to continue advocating for these crucial issues at stake for our city.”
District 2 interim City Council member Jennifer Owens won her seat against Blake Beyer. Owens said she is so honored to have the confidence of District 2 residents.
“I do not take this responsibility lightly and am eager to continue to roll up my sleeves in service of the vision we share for our district, and for our city,” Owens said, adding her own endorsement for Park for mayor.
Below reader can find results as they were announced after the polls closed on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
The city’s homestead exemption referendum failed.
Results as of 12:45 a.m.
All precincts have reported their totals and DeKalb’s unofficial election summary is as follows:
Mayoral candidates John Park and Lauren Kiefer and City Council District 1 candidates Linley Jones and Michael Diaz will go to a runoff on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
Jennifer Owens will serve as City Council District 2, joining incumbent City Council District 3 incumbent Madeleine Simmons. The homestead referendum was still too close to call with only 65% of precincts reporting.
Results as of 12:12 a.m.
Nine of 14 precincts are now reporting in Brookhaven.
Mayor results: John Park is at 45%, Lauren Kiefer is second with 29%, and Mark Frost has 25%. Hilerie Lind is clearly out of the race. Park and Kiefer are likely headed to a runoff, which will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
City Council District 1: Linley Jones is holding at 46% while Michael Diaz is at 41%, so the pair is likely headed to a runoff. Alan Cole is out of the race at 12%.
City Council District 2: It appears that Jennifer Owens has won with 58%.
City Council District 3: Incumbent Madeleine Simmons ran unopposed.
The homestead exemption referendum was a tight race with only 9 of 14 precincts reporting.
Results as of 11:09 p.m.
Two of 14 precincts are reporting Election Day results for the mayoral race.
Mayor results: John Park at 46% and Lauren Kiefer at 29% are likely headed to a run off election. Mark Frost has 25% and Hilerie Lind is hovering at 1%.
No updates have been made in the City Council races.
City Council District 1 results: Alan Cole at 12%, incumbent Linley Jones at 43% and Michael Diaz leading at 45%.
City Council District 2 special election results: Blake Beyer has 42% while Jennifer Owens is leading with 58%.
City Council District 3 results: Incumbent Madeleine Simmons ran uncontested.
Results as of 10:43 p.m.
One of 14 precincts are reporting Election Day results for the mayoral race.
Mayor: John Park at 46% and Lauren Kiefer at 28% are likely headed to a run off election.
City Council District 1 results: Alan Cole at 12%, incumbent Linley Jones at 43% and Michael Diaz leading at 45%.
City Council District 2 special election results: Blake Beyer has 42% while Jennifer Owens is leading with 58%.
City Council District 3 results: Incumbent Madeleine Simmons ran uncontested.
Results as of 8:33 p.m.
Preliminary results are showing on the results of advanced voting ballots. John Park is in the lead at 46% while Lauren Kiefer trailed at 28% and Mark Frost was coming in at 24%. Hilerie Lind’s total was 1.2%.
City Council District 1 results: Alan Cole at 12%, incumbent Linley Jones at 43% and Michael Diaz leading at 45%.
City Council District 2 special election results: Blake Beyer has 43% while Jennifer Owens is leading with 57%.
City Council District 3 results: Incumbent Madeleine Simmons ran uncontested.
Brookhaven residents also voted on a homestead exemption. Advanced voting totals showed the majority of voters were not in favor of the change.
In DeKalb County, both the Equalized Homestead Option Sales and Use Tax (EHOST) and the Special Purpose Local Option Sales and Use Tax (SPLOST II) must be approved or neither tax will be put into law. Here’s an explanation of both tax programs from DeKalb County.