13-08-2025
Columbus mayoral candidate, former city manager Isaiah Hugley: ‘We got to get rid of crazy and get back on track'
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — For the first time since the Columbus council terminated him on May 27th, former city manager Isaiah Hugley spoke publicly Tuesday night.
Hugley, now a mayoral candidate, spoke at a Muscogee County Democratic Committee campaign event at the Public Library. Hugley spoke for a half hour, a little more time than Jason Esteves, democratic candidate for Georgia Governor, received.
He did not directly address his firing or the EEOC complaint he recently filed against the city, which claimed discrimination. Inside, the room belonged to Hugley – and this is as close as he got to addressing the controversy swirling around him.
'And we have allowed crazy to occur in Columbus, Georgia,' Hugley said. 'We got to get rid of crazy and get back on track. And we are going to do it. Unity through reconciliation can get us there.'
Outside, there were a couple of protestors outside with a large sign that read, 'Make Columbus Great Again. Anybody but Isaiah Hugley.'
Hugley spent most of his time talking about his background, coming out of poverty and public housing, to a 41-year career with the city, the last 20 as city manager.
'I am not just going to dwell on the past,' he said. 'I want to talk about when I become mayor of Columbus, Georgia. And I can assure you when I become mayor, we are going to provide leadership, we are going to manage with the same bold vision during my tenure as city manager.'
District 7 Councilor Joanne Cogle was one of the seven votes to terminate Hugley on May 27, despite the fact that he announced he was retiring at the end of the year. Cogle has announced her intention to run for mayor.
Hugley – through his attorney — had threatened legal action against six councilors, including Cogle. That came more than a month before he was fired. The EEOC complaint alleging discrimination could be the precursor to a suit against the city.
On the advice of two lawyers representing councilors, Cogle chose her words carefully Tuesday when asked about Hugley.
'There's still a personnel issue.,' Cogle said. 'There's still potential for litigation. And so, again, I'm focused on moving Columbus forward and focused on my campaign and only my campaign.'
Other candidates in the race don't have the same legal constraints.
Mark LaJoye: 'The former city manager even said he was for unity he was going to bring the community together. How do you do that when you due the city council members. That's not unity, bringing it together.'
Steven Kelly: 'What concerns me about him running for mayor is he actually does have a complaint in and is suing the city. And what I find funny is the fact that he's actually getting paid until he retires in December. Even though he was fired.'
Kia Legette: 'Let me answer your question from a place of the Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge of Allegiance, if you look at the bottom of the sentence, it says liberty for all and justice for all. Apparently, Hugley is seeking justice for something.'
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