On this past Election Day, [June 16, 2026] ACC Commissioner Dexter Fisher made history by becoming the first Black mayor of Athens-Clarke County. He reflected on his win.
“Who would have thought that a little boy from Greenwood, South Carolina, would have the opportunity to lead the sixth-largest city in the state of Georgia,” Fisher said. “So many other little Black boys and little Black girls in this community can strive to do the same thing. But I also understand the responsibility of being the first and also what it means to this community and to the state of Georgia.”
The mayor-elect cited issues he intends to address, which include affordability, housing, and work development. He also discussed his plans to reach out to residents to hear their priorities.
“What I’m going to do, Alexia, my first 100 days, when I get sworn in in January. We’re going to hit the ground running and we're going to let the community help us develop our strategic plan as we move forth. I think that's important to me that the community has a say, how they want the next four years to be, and if those two or three things are housing, homelessness, youth development, whatever they are, then those will be the things that we will concentrate on."
Fisher was one of five candidates vying to succeed outgoing mayor Kelly Girtz. After coming in second behind Tim Denson in the May 19th primary election, Fisher won in the June 16th runoff. He takes office in January.
