For Atlanta’s nonpartisan municipal elections on Nov. 4, the latest round of campaign finance disclosures was due June 30, for the period from May 1 to June 30. Here’s a brief overview of fundraising for four Atlanta City Council races with open seats.
City Council President: Current president Doug Shipman’s announcement that he wasn’t running for a second term has attracted two contenders: District 11 Councilmember Marci Overstreet and Center for Civic Innovation founder Rohit Malhotra. Overstreet is considered the establishment favorite, while Malhotra is positioning himself as a challenger to the status quo.
- Malhotra has raised $261,800 so far, in his first disclosure since entering the race.
- Overstreet raised $118,00 for the two-month period, for a total of $228,900 so far.
City Council District 2: This Midtown seat opened up after the incumbent, Amir Farokhi, announced he was taking a job as the head of The Galloway School. So far, seven people have announced their candidacy, with NPU-E president Courtney Smith and Democratic Socialist Kelsea Bond posting the highest fundraising figures so far. Here’s a look at the top five fundraisers:
- Bond raised $25,700 for the two-month period, bringing their total to $114,700 to date.
- Jacob Chambers, a software engineer , raised $840 for a total of $8,900.
- Alex Jones, a Georgia Tech employee, raised $3,425, with $64,700 raised to date.
- Smith raised $145,900, since entering the race in May.
- James White, a Fulton County assistant solicitor, raised $18,100, with $38,800 raised to date.
City Council District 7: Longtime Councilmember Howard Shook’s retirement has opened the race for this Buckhead seat.
- Jamie Christy, an associate attorney at Schreeder, Wheeler & Flint and vice president of the Buckhead Young Republicans, raised $37,400 for the two-month period.
- Allen Daly entered the race in late June. He’s reported no contributions so far.
- Thad Flowers, a public affairs specialist for engineering services firm AtkinsRéalis and former chief of staff for Atlanta City Council, raised $18,100, with $26,500 raised to date.
- Rebecca King, president of the Buckhead Condo Alliance and former NPU-B chair, raised $9,500.
- Thomas Worthy, a lobbyist for Piedmont Healthcare and Gov. Brian Kemp’s appointee to the MARTA board, raised $70,100.
City Council District 11: Overstreet’s decision to run for council president opened up her seat. It’s by far the most crowded contest, attracting 11 candidates so far, ranging from pastors to music producers. Here are the top five fundraisers for the May 1 to June 30 period:
- Toni Belin-Ingram, a pastor and family therapist, raised $36,800.
- Harold Hardnett, a business owner and philanthropist, raised $90,400 ($60,000 in personal loans).
- Nate Jester, an ex-Marine turned real-estate attorney, raised $61,200.
- Wayne Martin, a pastor who founded a firm that lobbies on behalf of nonprofits and churches, raised $75,500 ($6,200 in personal loans).
- Reginald Rushin, an ex-Marine turned insurance agent and former NPU-P chair, raised $11,600.
Stay tuned for a closer look at competitive city council races and top-dollar donors from Atlanta Civic Circle and our friends at The Xylom.
