The race for Atlanta City Council’s vacant at-large Post 3 seat is off with five qualifying candidates vying for the role.
The Post 3 seat opened up in March 2024 when sitting council member Keisha Waites stepped down as required by law to run for the Fulton County Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts. On Thursday, the Atlanta Office of the Municipal named the qualifying candidates who will run in the special election.
It’s an at-large and nonpartisan seat, so the candidates will have to win over voters from across the city rather than certain neighborhoods and districts. It also means anyone in the city can vote for the new councilmember.
Whoever wins the race will only serve the rest of Waite’s four-year term ending December 2025. The regular election for the seat will be in November 2025.
Here’s what you need to know about the candidates ahead of the November 5 election:
Dr. Nicole Evans Jones
On June 25, 2024 Jones announced she was the first candidate to qualify for the race. The lifelong Atlantan has a Bachelor’s degree from Howard University and a Master’s and Doctorate in Educational leadership from Clark Atlanta University.
Jones is a co-founder of the Wellth House and an owner at 360 Strategy Consulting. She also hosts “TownhouseTalks” on Instagram Live, where she shares weekly “heart-to-hearts” from her home.
Jones is no stranger to the public eye, either. Jones was a frequent presence at Atlanta’s public events when dating current Mayor Andre Dickens, though the two have since split up.
Few details are available about her campaign platform but Jones said on her website that it is a “call to action for those who share a vision of progress, inclusivity and empowerment” with a focus on quality education and community empowerment.
More campaign information is available on her website.
Devin Barrington-Ward
Another political fixture in the race is Devin Barrington-Ward, currently the Managing Director at Black Futurists Group. Ward has previously worked as Chief of Staff for the Georgia Senate and General Assembly, as well as a staffer and communications director on various campaigns. Ward also served as a Health Equity Fellow at the National Coalition of STD Directors and a project coordinator for the State of Young Gay America Summit.
Ward has already secured an endorsement from the Atlanta Democratic Socialists of America chapter. The local DSA threw their support around the candidate because he is a “vocal opponent of Cop City and an advocate for Palestinian liberation.”
As a Black queer man of Caribbean descent with experience in youth homelessness, Ward’s campaign priorities include housing access, climate change and policing alternatives. He promised to promote affordable housing and workforce development projects, push to cut down carbon emissions and ensure the city reallocates resources to violence prevention programs instead of policing.
“At the forefront of my agenda is the fight against the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, known colloquially as ‘Cop City,’” Ward said on his campaign website. “I recognize the environmental injustice and racial disparities inherent in its construction and I pledge to halt its progress.”
Campaign updates are available on his social media.
Duvwon Robinson
Duvwon Robinson has run for several Atlanta-based offices in recent years. Most recently, Robinson ran for Fulton County Tax Commissioner against Arthur Ferdinand in early 2024. He lost in the Democratic primary on May 21.
Robinson also ran for Atlanta City Council in 2017 and Fulton County Superior Court Clerk in 2016, but he has yet to win an election.
He’s known largely for his frequent presence in the public comment section at Atlanta City Council meetings, where he would give fiery comments regarding transportation and employee treatment at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson airport that escalated in January to former Deputy Director of the airport Jai Ferrell filing a temporary restraining order against him.
While Robinson did qualify for the race, he has yet to update his campaign social media or website to reflect the new campaign.
Amber Connor
Local landscaping business owner Amber Connor has shared no information publicly about her campaign for Atlanta City Council. She has maintained a presence on social media over the years as an outspoken Republican activist and “concerned citizen” focused on corruption and the judicial systems.
She has no campaign website or social media at this time.
Eshé Collins
Eshé Collins has served on the Atlanta board of Education since her election in 2013 and reelections in 2017 and 2021. The Atlanta native previously served as the Chair of the board and currently represents District 6.
The Civil Rights attorney and former Atlanta Public Schools teacher won’t be stepping down from her board seat to campaign. Her term is set to expire in November 2025 – Collins said she will only relinquish the role if she wins the council race.
Collins is also the Director of the Equity Assistance Center-South at the Southern Education Foundation to give assistance and training to public school districts in 11 states and the District of Columbia. The foundation aims to address disparities and inequities in educational systems.
The school board member is focused on affordable housing, government accountability, effective city services and safe neighborhoods. Further campaign details are to come on her official website.
Great story. Enjoy local level politics
Why was it necessary to post about Ferrell’s attempt to silence Dr. Robinson with a fraudulent TPO filing? The truth will soon be revealed about Ferrell and her airport departure. You didn’t share anything negative about the other candidates. It’s obvious you’re a friend of the airport….well a friend of Andys!