A guide to Atlanta's 2025 mayoral and City Council races
Shake off your presidential election hangover: Atlanta voters head to the polls this November to decide who should hold the mayor's office and City Council seats — three of which will be wide open.
Why it matters: Local government is where decisions are made regarding your property taxes, neighborhood safety, kids' education and more.
Driving the news: Below, a rundown on who's running for what races at City Hall.
What's next: We will make updates as new candidates file their paperwork.
The qualifying period to run for office and officially appear on the ballot begins on Tues., Aug. 19 and ends on Fri., Aug. 22.
Mayor
Mayor Andre Dickens, who officially kicked off his re-election campaign on Tuesday at Monday Night Garage, thus far has only racked up two official opponents, according to the city's elections database.
Officially running:
Walter Reeves, who challenged Dickens in 2021
Marcus D. Lamar, a Blandtown resident
Context: Over the past 50 years, incumbent Atlanta mayors who want to serve a second term have gotten their wish, and oftentimes with negligible opposition.
The November election might follow suit, given Dickens' public support and $1.4 million war chest.
City Council President
In February, City Council President Doug Shipman announced he would not seek re-election, citing family health issues.
Officially running:
Atlanta City Council member Marci Collier Overstreet
Rumored to run:
Former U.S. Congressman and City Council member Kwanza Hall
City Council
District 1
Atlanta City Council member Jason Winston represents southeast neighborhoods like Grant Park, Chosewood Park and Lakewood Heights.
The only challenger to file paperwork is Sean Skillings, who lives in Chosewood Park.
District 2
The super-dense and fast-growing district that includes Old Fourth Ward, Midtown and parts of Downtown is up for grabs after Atlanta City Council member Amir Farokhi announced he would resign to take a job at The Galloway School.
Kelsea Bond, a queer labor organizer, has filed paperwork to run.
Other people said to be considering a run include Midtown's Courtney Smith and Virginia-Highland's Alex Bevel Jones, both of whom are community leaders.
District 5
First-term council member Liliana Bakhtiari will have to fend off nonprofit professional Adam Gore-Wright to represent neighborhoods like Cabbagetown and Reynoldstown.
District 7
Lawyer Jamie Christy told Axios she plans to compete for the Buckhead seat long held by Council member Howard Shook, who recently announced his retirement from office.
Christy considered challenging Shook in 2021 but later worked for his office investigating high-profile crimes in the district.
The district includes Buckhead neighborhoods like Lindbergh/Morosgo, Buckhead Heights and the Lenox Square Mall area.
District 11
Marci Collier Overstreet's decision to explore a bid for City Council president opens up the race for the far southwest Atlanta district that's home to Niskey Lake, Venetian Hills and Ben Hill.
Steven Dingle is the lone official declared candidate.
Possible challengers include Nate Jester, a commercial real estate lawyer, government affairs professional Wayne Martin and Sarah-Elizabeth Langford, the director of Fulton County's development authority and ex-wife of former Mayor Kasim Reed.
District 12
Council member Antonio Lewis seeks a second term representing the far south Atlanta district.
A Pittsburgh neighborhood resident named Delvin Davis has filed paperwork to challenge Lewis.
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