ATLANTA — As the face of Atlanta's skyline changes, so too will the faces of those leading that change. Voters will soon elect a new member to fill Atlanta City Council's Post 3 at-large seat, which was vacated by Keisha Sean Waites in March. The race is now headed to a runoff between Dr. Nicole Jones and Eshé Collins after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote on Nov. 5 in a crowded field.
Jones spent 30 years as a counselor and principal in Atlanta Public Schools. She said her agenda would involve putting neighborhoods first by focusing on safety, housing and transportation.
"Those were all barriers to families and kids and educators quite honestly, trying to grow up and matriculate in Atlanta, finding a place to stay, how do they get to work and just feeling safe enough to navigate the city of Atlanta," Jones said. "It's about paying people well, treating people well and being transparent."
Collins is an Atlanta native and civil rights attorney currently sitting on the Atlanta Board of Education. She has held vice chair and chair positions on the school board. Collins touted record graduation rates in APS and working to provide affordable housing for educators as a track record for potential success on city council.
"I'm the only candidate in the race that's held elected office," Collins said. "I think it’s key for the city to have an experienced leader who’s knowledgeable in that work and has a proven track record of truly doing the work from a legislative lens, understanding governance, leaning into community engagement and what that truly means to bring all voices to the table.”
Both candidates have just three weeks to drum up support after Georgia posted a record turnout in the presidential election.
"We're not going to see that level of turnout for a runoff, but this is the only race on the ballot," Collins said. "It's continuing to fight for a city that thrives for all of us, being very clear that wherever you live in the city, no matter your income and no matter your family structure, we should all be able to take advantage of things that make Atlanta great."
While Jones has never held public office, she said she was excited to take her years of public service skills and take them to the next level.
"Local elections really matter," Jones said. "I'm just trying to get the message out to my followers and supporters that we did it once. Let's do it again."
Early voting starts Saturday, Nov. 23, with the runoff set for Dec. 3.