ATLANTA — Former Atlanta City Council Member Keisha Sean Waites resigned from her Post 3 At-Large seat back in March to run for a different position.
Now, a special election is being held to fill the rest of her term, which goes through Dec. 31, 2025.
According to city officials, the special election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5, in conjunction with the General Election. If necessary, a runoff will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Here's what to know about the five candidates running to fill the vacant seat:
About:
According to Collins' biography, she's an Atlanta native, civil rights lawyer and school board member. She's the immediate past Chair and Vice Chair of the Atlanta Public School (APS) board.
"With her deep roots in Atlanta and steadfast commitment to public service, Eshé brings a wealth of experience in addressing systemic disparities and improving outcomes for families and communities and brings a solid vision for a thriving future for all Atlantans," her biography reads.
She earned a B.A. in Psychology from Spelman College, an M.S. in Educational Leadership from Georgia State University and a J.D., cum laude from North Carolina Central University School of Law. Collins has received various awards and accolades ranging from Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 to the Martin Luther King Torch of Peace Award.
Priorities:
Collins said that Atlanta is facing challenges ranging from affordable housing and infrastructure to public safety and economic development.
"I believe, now, more than ever, we need bold, compassionate and proven leadership to address these issues head-on and create positive change for all of us," Collins said.
Below are three priorities listed on her candidate page:
1. Equitable Development
Collins said she would collaborate to invest in small businesses and sustainable investments to build a city that works for everyone.
2. Education and Youth Empowerment
Collins said that her commitment to Atlanta is rooted in education. She said she would work to create programs that support the education and advancement of youth.
3. Environmental Sustainability
Collins said she believes in creating a cleaner and healthier environment through innovative and sustainable policies to ensure the city is livable now and for future generations.
About:
According to Connor's biography, she is a Georgia native who began her community service as the Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova during the 1996 Olympic Games. She's a small business owner, community advocate and mother. Connor is also the founder and leader of the Atlanta-based nonprofit Concerned Citizens United, which focuses on public safety policies and issues.
Back in 2020, Connor said she worked with Georgia State legislators to pass Bill 402, which holds judges accountable and creates transparency for decisions regarding signature bonds. She's focused on finding a common-sense approach to affordable housing and supports legislation calling for a 3% cap on raising property taxes in any given year to help homeowners keep their property.
Priorities:
Connors has the topics listed below as her top priorities:
1. Public Safety
She said if elected, she would turn 20 years of advocacy into action to keep neighborhoods and people safer through policing reforms, crime prevention strategies, victim advocacy and transparency within the justice department.
2. Property Taxes
She said she is committed to implementing tax relief programs and reassessing property valuation methods to combat the burden of increasing property taxes.
3. Education reform
Connors said she would champion more parental involvement in curriculum decisions made in schools. She would also advocate for adding skill-based trade learning to public school systems for electrical, welding, automotive technology, carpentry, culinary arts, information technology, cosmetology, robotics and construction management.
Other issues she mentions that are critical to resolve are affordable housing, sustainable development, economic empowerment and prioritizing the needs and voices of all Atlanta residents.
About:
According to her biography, Evans Jones has spent 30 years with Atlanta Public Schools -- first as a counselor and then as a principal.
"Nikki led turnaround efforts at four Atlanta Public Schools. An achievement she credits to lifting up families and neighborhoods, to being just as focused on what goes on outside schools as inside them," her biography reads. "She invested her time in families and neighborhoods as a way to boost student outcomes. And will bring that same spirit of access and inclusion to City Council."
She is a mother, small business owner and entrepreneur. She's also a third-generation resident who grew up in Southwest Atlanta. She graduated from Benjamin E. Mays High School before receiving a Bachelor's degree from Howard University. She also received an M.A. and Ed. D. from Clark Atlanta University.
Priorities:
Evans Jones mentions three main priorities on her website. Those are:
1. Collaborative Safety
Evans Jones said she would prioritize recruitment and retention of public safety officers by ensuring pay, training and housing support is the strongest in the region. She also wants to grow the budget for pre-arrest diversion, 311 and other resources to help provide alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent criminals. Finally, she said she would work to ensure first responders have access to the best resources and training, including de-escalation.
2. Attainable Housing
Evans Jones said she would push back on neglect, blight and non-city residents buying property to rent and leave vacant. She will also fight to ensure the Affordable Housing Trust Fund is a fully funded staple of the budget that works alongside the Housing Opportunity Bond. Finally, in neighborhoods where it makes sense and there's support, she would explore zoning solutions that allow for things like accessory dwellings, smaller square footage homes and more multi-family units.
3. Equitable Transportation
If elected, Evans Jones said she will invest in sidewalks and a bike infrastructure to serve everyone, press for progress on major projects like the addition of rapid transit along major corridors and collaborate with the Department of Transportation to deliver the highest standard.
About:
According to his biography, Robinson is an Atlanta native and "Grady Baby" raised in the Bowen Homes community on the Westside. His passion for politics was first ignited when he was 12 and worked alongside Hosea Williams. He heard firsthand accounts of the Civil Rights Movement and learned about the creation of the Hosea Feed the Hungry program.
Robinson said that throughout his career, he has been committed to public service, focusing on empowering youth and advocating for seniors.
"If elected, I pledge to continue challenging the status quo by asking the Mayor tough questions when needed, ensuring that all Atlantans are treated fairly and ensure the rebuild of our reputation to the place we call home," Robinson wrote. "I am prepared to lead with integrity, honesty and a deep-rooted commitment to the well-being of our city."
Priorities:
Robinson listed the below topics as issues he will be focusing on:
1. Fixing streets
He listed this as a major issue on his campaign website. Robinson said that it's crucial we prioritize and repair the streets to guarantee safe and seamless transportation for all.
2. Livable wages
He said that a livable way is essential for a just society, and it ensures that the cost of living is covered.
3. Public safety
Robinson said that leadership needs to work with the police, the mayor's office, local businesses, and community leaders to ensure everyone is communicating about the crime in the city and working to help.
4. Water
Robinson said that after the water crisis earlier this year, it's been identified that the time is now to replace old pipes, work with the department, and ensure the community's voice is always heard when decisions are being made that could affect people.
5. Trash
Robinson said that the sanitation department is one of the most essential services in any city and that trash pickup has improved over the years. However, Robinson said that officials need to make sure they are taking care of on-the-ground employees.
About:
According to an online biography, Barrington-Ward is an Atlanta native, community organizer, legislative advocate and civil rights leader. From the age of 16, Barrington-Ward has been on a mission to empower and uplift working-class families, the LGBTQ community, Black people and other marginalized communities. This first started when he became a campaign staffer for Stacey Abrams in her first winning campaign for public office in 2006.
Throughout his career, Barrington-Ward has served in leadership roles with numerous state and local elected officials and community organizations, ranging from chief of staff in the Georgia State Senate and State House of Representatives to lobbyist fighting for pre-k funding for black childcare providers.
"In the heart of Atlanta beats the pulse of resilience, creativity, innovation, and community, and I am honored to stand as a beacon of hope and progress for its people," Barrington-Ward wrote. "My journey, rooted in my personal and professional experiences surviving youth homelessness and later becoming an effective policy advocate and civil rights leader, has shaped my vision for the future -- a future where every Atlantan has the opportunity to thrive. This is why I am running for Atlanta City Council -- Citywide."
Priorities:
Barrington-Ward listed the topics below as policies to prioritize:
1. Housing as a human right
If elected, Barrington-Ward would work to increase funding for the affordable housing trust fund, reform zoning laws to allow for more diverse forms of housing, and use grants and other incentives to incentivize property owners to keep housing affordable. Barrington-Ward would also work to invest in resources, health services and housing opportunities for unhoused Atlantans.
2. Workers' rights and living wages
Barrington-Ward would work to incentivize employers to provide workplace safety, heat and harassment training and collaborate with unions and technical colleges to invest in workforce development programs for Atlanta workers. He will also collaborate with AFSCME and other unions to ensure public sector workers are paid a living wage and afforded adequate time off and parental leave. Barrington-Ward also mentioned calling out and refusing tax incentives to employers who union bust, misclassify and underpay workers.
3. Green Infrastructure
Barrington-Ward mentioned working to overhaul the aging water pipes system, keeping streets safe by covering dangerous potholes and encouraging new housing projects to abide by green energy standards. The candidate also mentioned putting forward a plan to add protected bikes throughout the city with additional safety measures and committing to adding sidewalks to every street.
4. Combatting climate change
Barrington-Ward said he would commit to expanding tree cover to improve air quality and reduce the effects of rising heat and flooding, incentivize local businesses to promote working safe conditions with rising temperatures and divest from single-use plastics, and take meaningful steps to ensure Atlanta divests from fossil fuels toward 100% use of green alternatives by 2035. The candidate also mentioned investing in public parks, green spaces and playgrounds, improving the city's recycling and composting programs, as well as working with MARTA to expand local bus routes.
5. Public safety for all
Barrington-Ward mentioned investing in and expanding PAD 311 to operate on a 24/7 basis, funding the 911 call centers and afterschool youth programs, public green spaces and community centers. The candidate also mentioned stopping homeless encampment sweeps and refusing to collaborate with ICE as well as state police for those seeking abortion care or trans health resources. Barrington-Ward mentioned demilitarizing police, working to expand mental health services and investing in shelters and mental health services for Atlanta's unhoused community.
For those who live in Fulton County and want to know who is on the ballot, click here for a full guide.
11Alive is committed to helping you vote confidently by understanding the 2024 election issues that impact you. Our goal is to educate and inform our audience about the election process. We plan to do that by verifying facts, providing context, and explaining the system. Get more election resources here at /vote.