The election for Atlanta city council president promises to be the most highly charged race in the city in 2025.
By the end of qualifying on Aug. 22, only two candidates had put their hats in the ring — Atlanta City Councilmember Marci Collier Overstreet and Rohit Malhotra, a nonprofit leader who is on leave as executive director of the Center for Civic Innovation (CCI).
It’s a classic race between a City Hall insider and a City Hall outsider — a race that offers a clear choice for voters.
In May, SaportaReport had the exclusive story that Malhotra would be running for City Council President and taking a leave from CCI.
Within 30 minutes of the story posting, Overstreet called me wanting equal coverage. She had been the first to announce that she was running for president.
I told Overstreet that I saw this as an opportunity to get to know more about her and vice versa. We have since had two lengthy in-person interviews — one on May 23 and the second on July 24.
The end of qualifying presented an opportune time for me to share our conversation and to provide my analysis of the race (not as a political reporter but as someone who has covered the city for decades).
Overstreet requested we take her photo in front of the façade of E.A. Ware Elementary, the first “bricks and mortar” elementary school for black children in Atlanta. Overstreet has fond memories of attending E.A. Ware, located along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. It is now the headquarters for the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, which tore down most of the historic structure to build its new home.
“It was thoughtful the way they did that,” Overstreet said. “I’m so glad they kept the part I loved the most. They didn’t erase the history.”
During our interviews, I got to know much more about Overstreet. She attended nursery school in the old University Plaza Apartments, two donut-shaped buildings designed by my father. Her mother worked for the Atlanta Job Corps Center for 20 years. Her father was from Savannah. After her parents divorced, she would spend summers with her grandmother in Savannah.
Overstreet earned her college degree in journalism from Georgia State University. She loved writing, but she also loved traveling. So, she joined the Delta Air Lines Summer Program, which led to a 20-year career as a flight attendant before retiring in 2008.
When then-Councilmember Keisha Lance Bottoms decided to run for mayor in 2017, Overstreet decided to run for the council seat representing southwest Atlanta. Overstreet, who is at the end of her second term on council, has strong roots in the area as a member of Cascade United Methodist Church, where she and her husband, Dr. Alphonzo Overstreet Jr., got married. They have three children.
When asked why she is running for city council president, Overstreet said several of her councilmember colleagues urged her to run immediately after Doug Shipman announced he was not running for re-election. And she didn’t want an outsider in that role.
“The reason I don’t want an outsider is that the president is No. 2 to the mayor,” Overstreet said. “I have no desire to be the mayor, but I want to serve the city properly.”
If something were to happen to a sitting mayor, the city council president steps into that role. And Overstreet is comfortable running as an “insider” candidate.
“There’s an atmosphere that a president can create on Council. It can be adversarial, or it can be collaborative,” said Overstreet, favoring the latter. “I think more can be done with the position. I would like to be a president that really brings collaboration and consensus to Council.”
During both interviews, Overstreet highlighted the strong relationship she has with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who is publicly supporting her and is holding fundraisers for her. She had been a strong backer of his when he first ran for mayor.
“I stumped really hard for Andre. I thought Andre would be a more collaborative mayor with Council,” she said. “The mayor supports me 100 percent.”
This begs the question. Would Overstreet, as city council president, be able to take independent positions from the mayor?
“I’m an independent person,” said Overstreet, who bristled when I used the words “nod squad.” That’s when an Atlanta mayor could count on eight council votes to pass legislation. “Andre and I have butted heads.”
To the best of my recollection, never has a mayor or mayoral candidate so openly supported one candidate for city council president.
Malhotra wrote in a text that the office of city council president “is and must remain an independent office, separate from the executive branch.” He said council members face enormous pressure from the executive branch, and the city council president can “help relieve” that pressure.
“Cooperation does not require complicity. I’ll always be an ally to the executive branch, but I won’t be a rubber stamp,” Malhotra wrote. “My approach in my 15 years of public service has always been to set a clear North Star and keep us focused on it, regardless of political pressure.”
Malhotra and Overstreet have different styles and points of view.
A big area of distinction is the public safety training center, which Overstreet has strongly supported. She did expect the “Stop Cop City” folks to seek someone to oppose her, but she stopped short of putting that label.
Malhotra has questioned the decision-making process for the public safety training center, favoring more independent voices on city council.
Overstreet has been a strong critic of MARTA, being one of three councilmembers to call for a city audit of More MARTA spending.
She also said she favored light rail for the Campbellton Road corridor. But ultimately, she tended to agree with Dickens, who ended up supporting bus rapid transit as long as the area would receive the equal level of investment as rail, with the difference going to other projects.
Overstreet, who hasn’t spoken on behalf of rail on the Beltline Eastside Trail, said she is disappointed the city has “not changed our transportation grid one bit” in the past decade.
“It’s about quality of life and connectivity with transportation for people who need it the most,” she said. “For some reason, we can’t seem to figure out how to move the needle forward.”
Overstreet also mentioned she has been a strong backer of parks and greenspace, the Atlanta City Design, sidewalks and the city’s tree canopy. But during a city council tree discussion, her questions focused on how a new tree ordinance could adversely impact her district.
Many times, people have assumed that the person running for city council president is positioning themself to eventually run for mayor. But since the 1970s, when Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson was elected, no city council president has won an election for mayor.
“I’m certainly not running for city council president to be the mayor,” Overstreet said. “I just don’t want an outside person to be the next president.”
Overstreet’s “outsider” quote in the last line is wildly xenophobic, especially when referring to someone from Metro area who has committed his career to advocating specifically on the neighborhood level in the city of Atlanta. What she means is that he cannot be trusted to continue to harm working class people while hiding behind SW ATL roots and hoarding frail institutional power. This is shameful.
Maria? Now ask the people of District 11 if she should remain in public office. Her record is dismal, she has utter disdain for her constiuents and refuses to meet them (other than campaign events), is very vindictive and apt to exhibit punitive behaviors. District 11 is like “The Land That Time Forgot” due to 16+ years of bad/nonexistent representation. She fought Felicia Moore in that role her entire four years, but now wants to “expand” it? Laughably sad. Overstreet is horrible.
Totally untrue. Marci is so very accessible and so in tune to her constituents
Having one Andre Dickens in power is bad enough, lord knows the city needs a second. Pass!
What actual difference will it make? The city will still be unable to get anything done. Just look at the Renew Atlanta and TSPLOST project lists. Years behind schedule and not anything close to what we were promised.
A lot of bloviating but no change
I am skeptical of her leadership but even more curious about WHY is Andre so invested in her as President. What threats does her opponent present? And is where are those investment from him coming from…
Why are you running? ‘Because the council urged me to and I don’t want an outsider to win!’ Yes let’s goooo, this is the type of vision, purpose, and leadership we need in Atlanta!
I really hope the Harvard grad, public policy expert, running his people-focused campaign drops out immediately. Marci says she’s “an independent person,” which is another great and convincing point! Rohit is way too dependent on the voters- it’s like he doesn’t even want to be an insider. 2 M.O.’s in this race, choose wisely.
I am Not sure if people truly Understand what an outsider means!! If you are from The Metro area Not within the Atlanta District you are an Outsider. And to say a Woman who lives in Her District and walks often doesn’t not meet with her constituents is insane. One thing Marci will do is show up and talk with people. Often times things may take longer to get done because it is more than just a quick fix. Often times you have to get 4 votes on Committees and 8 votes on full council. The average voter doesn’t know this. But make no mistake Rohit is NO good for Atlanta.
What makes Rohit no good for Atlanta?
As a proud resident of District 11, I would want to address the assertion that Marci Collier Overstreet, a council member, “doesn’t meet with people in her district.” That is just untrue. Councilmember Overstreet has continuously supported our community by hosting town halls, personally meeting with citizens, participating in forums, and listening to District 11’s issues. She has consistently stood up for us, as I have seen firsthand, from opposing the construction of new gas stations in our communities to promoting better transit and investing in green spaces. She listens, lives, and fights for community; she doesn’t simply talk about it. Let’s also examine Rohit Malhotra, her opponent, in more detail. His background reveals brief, primarily fellowship-based jobs, including a one-year fellowship at City Hall more than ten years ago and a five-month stay in the White House, despite his claims of experience in civic innovation and policy. That isn’t a long-term, in-depth service to Atlanta. That’s how you develop a resume. It’s also evident from previous discussions that Malhotra doesn’t fully comprehend the duties and restrictions associated with the position of City Council President. Not only is that alarming, but it’s dangerous for a city as complicated as Atlanta. Councilmember Overstreet has a solid track record of service, extensive community ties, and demonstrated experience. She is familiar with the problems, the work, and us. She is our representative and has demonstrated leadership, accessibility, and genuine dedication to District 11 and Atlanta as a whole.
Every time I’ve reached out, Marci has responded and followed through. That’s real accountability.
According to Politics 101, an Insider is One who has Experience and knows How the Company Runs. And after doing my Research Rohit worked for The White House for 5 Months and The City of Atlanta for 1 Year! Does he stay anywhere long enough to make a difference. Also He paid himself over 200,000 for the last 4-5 years and I’m sure his nonprofit still paying for his Campaign. Also There seems to be a Huge Hatred towards old Atlanta from Rohit and his followers who are Not Grady Babies, APS Graduates, etc. Atlanta has a Unique history and if you can’t relate don’t try and demolish our culture. I Hope Saporta Report you don’t feel this way either?? Culture Vulture and Colonizer is what Rohit represents.
Some people may not realize how city government works—many changes require committee votes and full council approval. That means progress can take time. But Marci is present, engaged, and has the experience to actually move things forward for our district
Will she be beholden to the mayor for his support? Do we need more insiders at city hall?
Wildly racist to call an immigrant “an outsider ”
Rohit grew up in Atlanta. His parents had a small pop up store at the Atlanta Mart and Underground Atlanta. He went to college at Emory.
His first job was on Broad Street downtown in the Grant Building.
he has coached and raised millions of dollars to support organizations in the West End, Grove Park, Ashview Heights, Oakland City, Pittsburgh, Mechanicsville, at the AUC.
Marci stands for nothing, and that’s a problem. Specifically stating that she’s only running because she doesn’t want an “outsider” to win? That’s not a reason. She constantly flip-flops positions, for example her stance on transit, and refuses to take any strong leadership stances. We need a real leader and someone that stands by their convictions. I don’t know yet if Rohit is that person, but I know for sure Marci is not.