Here’s a recap of the Sandy Springs City Council elections from Nov. 4.
For news on the Sandy Springs mayoral race, click here.
District 4 headed to runoff
Incumbent Jody Reichel’s decision to run for mayor left the race open. Michelle Sullivan received 1,296 votes to lead the race in unofficial results. Frank Roberts came in second with 840 and appears headed for a runoff election with Sullivan. All five precincts had reported, according to results from the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office.
| District 4 | Percentage (%) | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Dave Flynn | 11.93% | 335 |
| Steven D. Hickey | 11.97% | 336 |
| ^Frank Roberts | 29.93% | 840 |
| ^Michelle Sullivan | 46.17% | 1,296 |
| 5/5 Reporting | Updated 12:02 a.m. |
Steven D. Hickey’s 336 votes nearly matched Dave Flynn, who was one vote short with 335.
Sullivan said she was grateful to her supporters and humbled.
“My commitment to Sandy Springs is resolute. I am dedicated to fostering a thriving, safe community, safeguarding our high quality of life and building a city where fundamental rights and dignity are universally respected,” Sullivan said. “Furthermore, I remain steadfast in my vision to cultivate a truly connected community, ensuring an equitable distribution of resources and opportunities across all districts.”
Roberts also thanked his supporters.
“Over the next month, I’ll be out in the community, continuing to listen to neighbors and earn your trust,” Roberts said. “I’m committed to keeping our neighborhoods safe, preserving the character of our community, and ensuring that growth is thoughtful and balanced. I look forward to the conversations ahead and the opportunity to earn votes as we move toward the December 2 runoff.”
District 4 voters will head back to the polls on Dec. 2 if unofficial results hold that show the leading candidate’s vote totals fall short of the 50 percent plus one vote required to win the office.
Paulson holds in District 1
Incumbent John Paulson faced a stiff challenge to keep his District 1 seat from Lorri Connor. With six precincts reporting, he received 1,991 votes to Connor’s 1,507 votes.
| District 1 | Percentage (%) | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Lorri Connor | 43% | 1,507 |
| *John Paulson (I) | 57% | 1,991 |
| 6/6 Reporting | Updated 12:02 a.m. |
Incumbents hold in Districts 2 and 3
District 2 voters cast 2,611 votes for incumbent City Council member Melody Kelly, whose opponent withdrew from the race.
In the District 3 council race, incumbent Melissa Mular had 70 percent of the vote, with 3,125 ballots cast for her. Challenger Tara Overzat trailed with 1,334 votes in the district’s 15 precincts.
“I am deeply grateful to be re-elected and honored by the confidence voters placed in me. Local government works best when residents are involved, and this campaign was fueled by conversations — not slogans,” Mular told Rough Draft Atlanta. “I knocked on many doors and listened. When almost 70 percent of voters say ‘stay the course,’ that is a mandate to keep delivering results, keep listening, and keep working for our community — without the politics or noise.”
Overzat thanked her volunteers and everyone who opened their doors to her campaign.
“Running for office has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Overzat said. “Together, we built a coalition rooted in listening, learning, and leading with heart. We knocked doors in the heat, discussed policy on porches, shared hopes for our neighborhoods, and dreamed of a city where every resident, whether lifelong or newly arrived, feels seen, heard, and valued.”
District 5
Mary Ford appears to be another new face who will appear on the council dais to represent District 5 in the seat that was held by Tibby DeJulio. He has been the longest-serving council member, taking office when the city formed.
| District 5 | Percentage (%) | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Kristen Daddow-Rodriguez | 24.96% | 795 |
| *Mary Ford | 51.90% | 1,653 |
| Colin Hubbard | 23.14% | 737 |
| 5/5 Reporting | Updated 12:02 a.m. |
DeJulio endorsed Ford. The 1,653 votes Ford received in the district’s five precincts gave her almost 52 percent of the total in unofficial results. Challengers Kristen Daddow-Rodriguez (795 votes) and Colin A. Hubbard (737 votes) do not have enough votes to force a runoff.
“I am grateful to everyone who supported me and this campaign — every volunteer, donor, yard sign host, and neighbor who opened their door to share their ideas and hopes for our city. I also thank my fellow candidates for their commitment to Sandy Springs and for engaging in this important process,” Ford told Rough Draft Atlanta. “As I step into this role, I am committed to preserving what makes Sandy Springs special while planning thoughtfully for our city’s future. I’m ready to get to work.”
Chinsky wins District 6
Council member Andy Bauman’s run for mayor left the District 6 seat open for a new face. Andrew J. Chinsky’s 3,142 votes in the district’s eight precincts gave him 80 percent of the total ballots cast. His opponent, Tesula Stewart, collected 801 votes.
| District 6 | Percentage (%) | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| *Andrew Chinsky | 80% | 3,142 |
| Tesula Stewart | 20% | 801 |
| 100% Reporting | Updated 1:11 a.m. |
Chinsky said, “Our campaign built extraordinary support across neighborhoods, ages, and political ideology.” He said his victory “sent a clear message and mandate—our City’s first chapter has proven a success, but as Sandy Springs turns 20 years old, now is not the time for complacency.”