President Donald Trump is exercising an unprecedented level of executive power to test the limits of what is legal, from sweeping funding cuts to deploying the US military to American cities. Atlanta has, for now, avoided being a target. But city council candidates must contend with this question:
How should the Atlanta City Council protect the city’s local authority, finances, and residents from potential federal actions, given the current administration’s targeting of large, Democrat-led cities?
Here are short summaries of the candidate responses for six contested city council seats (Post 1, At-Large and Districts 2, 3, 7, 9 and 11). Check out their full responses to our candidate questionnaire at our Elections Hub.
District 2 (Midtown)
Note: District 2 candidate Rod Mack was disqualified.
Kelsea Bond: Responding to federal funding cuts to essential housing, transit and public health services requires “not leaving potential revenue sources on the table,” they said. To do that, Bond wants Fulton County to “begin fairly taxing trophy commercial properties, so we can fill needed gaps in these services, if needed.” They added: “We should also consider other forms of progressive taxation, such as mansion taxes, or a tax on commercial parking lots.” To protect immigrants and LGBTQ+ residents, Bond said, the city should promote know-your-rights education.
Jacob Chambers: Atlanta should maintain “strong, professional relationships with federal departments […] to ensure critical programs and funding are insulated from political interference,” he said. “We should focus on building greater self-reliance, particularly in transportation and infrastructure investments,” he added.
Alex Bevel Jones: “We should reduce reliance on federal funding, keep a healthy rainy-day reserve, and build more projects through non-federal grants and philanthropic dollars,” he said. Jones also supports more funding for the Mayor’s Division of LGBTQ Affairs and the Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs “to guarantee Atlanta immigrants are able to use our city as a resource.”
Courtney Smith: “Voters are counting on local leaders to maintain vigilance, stand up for our citizen rights, be an example of collaborative leadership, and have the courage and conviction to be a solo vote when it is the right thing to do.”
James White: Protecting the city “includes building coalitions with other cities, monitoring federal actions closely, and engaging legal counsel when necessary,” he said, adding that the city council should prioritize communicating the effects of federal policies to Atlantans, plus city resources that can help.
District 3 (West Atlanta)
Byron Amos (incumbent): “We need to be sure that we are defending our home-rule authority, especially on issues like housing, public safety, and environmental regulation.” Atlanta must ensure “diversified revenue streams and a robust emergency contingency plan,” he added.
Perrin Bostic: “Council members can pass ordinances and policies that safeguard essential services, local programs, and civil rights – no matter federal priorities.” Bostic advocates diversifying city funding by considering public-private partnerships.The city should communicate clearly the steps it takes in response to federal actions, he added.
District 7 (Buckhead)
Jamie Christy: “It is crucial to realize that Executive Orders are not law—they are policies and should not have the same force and effect as a statute,” Christy emphasized. She advocates that the city protect its finances through public-private partnerships and by working with state leaders across party lines to protect the city’s interests. “This advocacy should be pragmatic, rather than partisan.”
Allen Daly: “Atlanta certainly should not cave to any illegal or harmful demands: It also must seek to avoid unnecessary conflict with the federal government,” Daly said. The city must be “vigilant” in refusing to allow city resources to be used for federal immigration enforcement and it must build a “rainy day fund” to protect against federal funding cuts, he added.
Thad Flowers: “I support collaborating with state and municipal organizations to coordinate policy and protect local control,” he said. Flowers also advocated diversifying city revenue streams, maintaining strong reserves, and keeping programs funded with federal grants “audit-ready to reduce vulnerability to federal shifts.”
Rebecca King: “Atlanta must protect its law-abiding residents by defending local authority, standing up to unjust federal actions, and safeguarding our financial independence,” she said. To advocate for the city’s interests, King added, “we must maintain open, respectful dialogue with federal partners, no matter which party is in power.”
Thomas Worthy: “Atlanta must stand firm against federal overreach that threatens our local authority or values. I’ll work with the mayor and city attorney to defend Atlanta’s right to govern itself, safeguard funding streams, and protect residents from politically motivated interference,” he said.
District 9 (Northwest Atlanta)
Charles Bourgeois: “The city should team up with other big cities to share strategies, resources, and legal support, so no city has to face these challenges alone,” he said, adding that Atlanta should also identify new revenue streams. The city should make a push to inform all Atlantans of their rights and make sure they are provided legal help if needed, he said.
Dustin Hillis (incumbent): “While partisan politics too often dominate federal discussions, my focus will remain on protecting Atlanta’s interests through sound governance, fiscal discipline, and collaboration across all levels of government,” he said. To protect Atlanta’s budget for core services, Hillis said, the city council must maintain strong reserves and diversify revenue. Atlanta should also work closely with other cities through national coalitions to protect federally funded programs, he added.
District 11 (Southwest Atlanta)
Note: District 11 candidates Keith Lewis and Sherry Williams were disqualified. Candidates Steven Dingle, Harold Hardnett and Reginald Rushin did not respond.
Toni Belin-Ingram: “I will defend Atlanta’s autonomy from federal overreach by collaborating with other cities, leveraging legal protections, and ensuring our finances remain strong and independent,” she said. Belin-Ingram said immigrants should be protected, adding that they are vital to Atlanta’s culture, workforce, and resilience.
Curt Collier: “Leaders like Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have shown how cities can stand firm against federal pressure, while still prioritizing residents’ needs. His balanced approach—asserting local control, protecting vulnerable communities, and advocating for fair funding—offers a strong example for Atlanta to follow,” he said. Collier also advocates diversifying the city’s revenue streams, and sharing strategies with other cities on how to respond to federal actions.
Andre Burgin: “Within Georgia’s legal constraints, limit ICE cooperation” to protect schools, churches and hospitals, he said. Burgin also advocates for diversifying revenue streams and using Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) to protect the city’s budget from funding cuts.
Nate Jester: “When outside forces threaten our city’s stability, or try to dictate our priorities, we need leaders who will protect Atlanta’s right to govern itself and serve its residents first,” he said. Jester vowed to be a voice for Atlantans to fund housing, transit, and public safety without interference.
Wayne Martin: “I believe Atlanta must hold firm in its stance on equity and inclusion, even if it means turning down federal funds,” he said.
Post 1, At-Large
Note: Post-1, At-Large Councilmember Michael Julian Bond did not respond to the questionnaire.
Juan Mendoza: “We must ensure that our city remains safe, transparent, and fiscally resilient.” Mendoza advocated for clear communication with the federal government to protect Atlanta from being targeted.
Matthew Rinker: “As a gay man, Atlanta was a welcoming beacon when I was choosing where to live after graduating from college,” he said. To protect the city’s welcoming legacy, Rinker said, Atlanta must diversify its revenue sources and expand its legal capacities, so it can work with other cities to challenge federal overreach in the courts. “Atlanta belongs to the people who live here, not extremist political agendas.”
Early voting for Atlanta municipal elections runs through Oct. 31. Election Day is Nov. 4. To find out more about the candidates, and their responses to Atlanta Civic Circle’s candidate questionnaire, visit our Election Hub.
Wow – nothing like a truckload of fear mongering to justify more and more taxation. Blatant power and money grab to defend against the ” evil empire ” of our own federal authorities. I am an Atlanta native so am highly vested in seeing my home city do well in all ways. Candidates, you can do better than trying these scare tactics.