The mayoral race, once chock full of candidates, slowed down to a simmer leading up to election day. But by 9 p.m.. — an hour after the polls closed at 7 p.m. — the campaign party for incumbent Mayor Kelly Girtz is lively, with high expectations.
“I just hope we keep Kelly as our mayor,” says Randall Abney. “He's done such an incredible job. … The most important thing to me is good government, and I think that we have good government in Clarke County, from the mayor and the council.”
At Girtz’s campaign party, hosted at Little Kings Shuffle Club, other commission candidates are in attendance in support of Girtz, and to represent their own campaigns. Allen Jones, Commission candidate for District 7, said he’s proud of his campaign, and the results will be telling in more ways than one.
“We're going to find out whether you can buy an election through redistricting and PACs and money,” said Jones.
District 7 was one of ten local districts restructured by redistricting. Commission members moved from odd to even numbered districts were unable to run for re-election, making Jones’ campaign possible. His opponent, John Culpepper, raised over $50,000 in campaign donations, according to disclosures.
Nat Bayne came in support of Jones.
“The reason that I support Allen specifically is because he has been a part of the Athens community and an active part of the Athens community,” Bayne said. “He's been going to commission meetings for a long time and being very involved.”
Though largely in support of the Jones campaign, they’re also hoping for a Girtz win.
“I think Kelly has been a wonderful mayor,” Bayne said. “I like how progressive he is. I like how every time I go somewhere, he's there.”
