All 15 Atlanta City Council seats – as well as the city council president and mayor – are up for re-election this November, and three more candidates have made their intentions known this week.
Current Dist. 8 Council Member Mary Norwood announced her re-election bid on April 9 to continue serving the Buckhead community.
“Today, I am announcing my decision to run for re-election,” Norwood said in a statement. ” In the past four years, our city has made tremendous progress with this Council and Mayor Andre Dickens, but there is so much more that needs to be done. This is a very important time for Buckhead and for the City of Atlanta. And I would like to continue my partnership with my colleagues and the Mayor so we can continue to move Atlanta forward.”
Norwood held an at-large seat on the council from 2002 to 2009, again from 2014 to 2016, and made two failed bids for mayor. She made a third return to the council in 2021 to represent District 8.
“I’m going to work closely with the Dickens Administration and my council colleagues to keep us safe – making sure we have the best trained police officers in the country. We need to rebuild our infrastructure and demand that we have clean water and an efficient wastewater system in Buckhead and throughout the city. We need to preserve our neighborhoods with zoning laws that reflect the values of our community. And, of course, I will continue to be a champion for integrity and transparency in city government,” Norwood said in the statement.
Grant Park resident and banker Juan Mendoza announced on April 8 that he will run to unseat incumbent Michael Julian Bond for the Post 1 At-Large seat. Realtor Matt Rinker has also announced his candidacy for the seat.
“I’m running because I’ve been on the ground-level with small business owners, community leaders, and civic activists, and I know the challenges they face across our city.” Mendoza said in a statement. “It’s time for someone to advocate for a city where small business owners and everyday people can thrive in Atlanta, not just developers and large corporations. It’s time for a new voice in Post 1 At-Large to join a new generation on Atlanta City Council.”
Mendoza, who is vice president of banking with Ameris Bank, has also served as president of the Old Fourth Ward Business Association.
Atlanta native and 40-year Pittsburgh neighborhood resident Stephanie Flowers on Wednesday announced her candidacy to unseat incumbent Antonio Lewis for the Dist. 12 seat. Delvin Davis previously announced his candidacy for the seat.
Flowers served as chair of Neighborhood Planning Unit V (NPU-V) and the Pittsburgh Neighborhood Association, as well as working with the Annie E. Casey Foundation and as advocacy and organizing manager at the Southern Education Foundation.
My vision for District 12 is centered on creating safe and welcoming neighborhoods for all residents,” Flowers said in a statement on her website. “I recognize the growth needed in our community and the importance of preventing displacement, so families can continue to thrive in their homes. Expanding opportunities for youth is a top priority, as I believe every young person deserves a chance succeed and grow. Additionally, I am committed to supporting local businesses, understanding that they are the backbone of our economy. Together, we can create a District 12 filled with growth and more opportunities for everyone to be proud of.”
Candidate qualifying for the Nov. 4 election will be held Tuesday through Friday, Aug. 19 – 22.
MORE: The Center for Civic Innovation has a running list of candidates who have announced their intentions for the Atlanta City Council at this link.
This story was updated to include the candidacy announcement for Stephanie Flowers.
