Fulton Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Dr. Jazz Thomas-Jones is a decorated Navy Veteran, Minister, Journalist, Podcaster, and Community Advocate. She is the President & Founder of Platinum Media Network and a dedicated social justice advocate who has resided in South metropolitan Atlanta since 1989.

Felicity Swindell is a candidate for Fulton County Commissioner, District 5, advocating for bold, community-first leadership ready to fight for everyday families.

Priorities: expanding access to resources for families and small businesses · creating mentorship and workforce opportunities for youth · building safer, connected neighborhoods

Helen Zenobia Willis is a seasoned public servant and former South Fulton City Councilwoman (District 3) with a strong background in accounting and finance. She is now running for Fulton County Commissioner District 5, committed to delivering real results for her community.

Priorities: Criminal justice reform at courts and jail · Stronger water and sewer infrastructure · Thriving businesses

Sojourner Marable Grimmett is an executive, advocate, and compassionate servant leader with over two decades of dedicated community service. She has held roles as VP at Peach State Health Plan and Director of Constituent Services for Fulton County, bringing executive experience and a deep commitment to South Fulton.

Priorities: Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform · Affordable Housing & Senior Support · Healthcare Access & Emergency Services

Tiffany A. Henyard is a business owner and former mayor of Dolton, Illinois (2021-2025) and supervisor of Thornton Township (2022-2025). She previously served two terms on the Dolton Village Board of Trustees and was the first Black woman elected mayor of Dolton, holding a bachelor's degree in business administration.

Paul Burton is an Army veteran and former head of IBM Asia Pacific, with 30 years of experience solving global problems, promoting responsible budgeting, and fighting for rights.

Reed Stillson is running for Fulton County Commissioner, District 3. He has spent nearly two decades in the service and hospitality industry, having entered the workforce at age 14.

Priorities: Advocates for establishing a progressive tax structure at the local level. · Aims to enact policies that directly combat the rising cost of living and skyrocketing healthcare costs for working-class families. · Aims to address the barriers of stagnant wages and unreasonable housing costs to ensure young adults can achieve the dream of homeownership.

Kiddada Asmara Grey is a seasoned life coach and conflict resolution expert with a Master's degree in Conflict Management, dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations. She brings planning skills, determination, and experience to unite communities and ensure people can thrive, not just survive.

Priorities: Protecting Our Democracy · Community Development and Empowerment · Improving County Service Delivery

Kimberly Bean is a Democratic candidate for Fulton County Commissioner, District 3, dedicated to making communities safer, strengthening opportunity, and restoring trust in county government. She advocates for leadership that elevates communities, acknowledges concerns, and negotiates real change.

Priorities: Make our communities safer · Strengthen opportunity · Restore trust in county government

Lee Morris is a former CPA, attorney, CFO, and General Counsel, now retired, with a BA from Duke University and a JD from Emory School of Law. He previously served two terms as an Atlanta City Councilmember (1994-2001) and has held office as a Fulton County Commissioner since 2015.

Priorities: Traffic and Transportation solutions, including supporting MARTA and transit-oriented development. · Public Safety, ensuring adequate funding for the justice system and collaborating with law enforcement. · Accountability in government, reducing waste, and working to keep property taxes low for residents.

Jodi Merriday is a native Atlantan and a graduate of District 3 schools who holds a bachelor's degree from Hampton University, an M.Sc. from London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Ph.D. from Temple University. She has served as the Ombudsman of Neighborhoods for the City of Atlanta and held positions as CEO of Diplomacy, Inc. and various academic roles.

Priorities: Strengthening Public Safety to Decrease Crime · Reducing Property Taxes to support home owners · Protecting your Vote through secure and fair elections

Rebecca King is a long-time Atlanta resident, educator, and businesswoman with a background in education and insurance. She is a passionate advocate for strong neighborhoods, public safety, and quality of life in Fulton County, currently serving as President of the Buckhead Condo Alliance.

James W. Hurst is a nonpartisan candidate for Atlanta City Council at-large in the 2026 election cycle. Fulton County's official 2026 nonpartisan consolidated sample ballot lists Hurst as a candidate for the at-large City Council unexpired term; Ballot Brief is continuing to enrich this profile with additional public biographical and policy information.

Priorities: Responsive city services · Neighborhood safety and quality of life · Housing, transportation, and local infrastructure

Bridget Thorne is the Commissioner for Fulton County District 1, a Republican and professional software designer. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Product Design and an MBA from Georgia Tech.

Priorities: Fiscal conservatism · Improving election integrity · Having a positive impact for all of Fulton County

Maggie Goldman is a Democrat, a Realtor, and a business owner. She earned a bachelor's degree from Trinity University in 2007 and a graduate degree from Assumption College in 2012.

Priorities: Fully fund the Fulton Board of Registrations & Elections to ensure accessible, efficient, and transparent elections. · Fully fund the District Attorney's and public defenders' offices to enhance public safety and support diversion programs. · Support Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis in her commitment to not prosecute abortion cases, protecting reproductive rights.

Robb Pitts, Chairman of the Fulton County Commission since 2017, previously served twelve years as a Fulton County Commissioner and two decades on the Atlanta City Council, including as Council President from 1997-2001. He is known for his extensive experience in public service, having advocated for tax relief, library systems, animal rights, and economic development.

Priorities: Emphasizing fiscal restraint and avoiding property tax increases · Advancing healthcare and senior services projects, including a new hospital in South Fulton County · Defending Fulton County’s election system and voters

Marvin S. Arrington Jr. is a renowned "Super" lawyer with over 25 years of litigation experience and currently serves as District 5 Commissioner for the Fulton County Board, following in the footsteps of his public servant parents.

Priorities: Modernizing county operations with advanced technology · Constructing a new Fulton County Jail · Fostering community service and empowerment

Eric J. Tatum is a Republican challenger for Fulton County Commission Chairman. He is a partner at Banks Stubbs McFarland LLP and has been voted Best Criminal Defense Attorney for five years and Best Family Law Attorney in Forsyth County.

Priorities: Make Fulton affordable again by conducting full audits, reining in property taxes, and ensuring taxpayer services. · Fix the failing jail crisis, prioritize public safety and courthouse funding, and crack down on crime while backing community policing. · Abolish human trafficking and make Fulton County a place where predators have nowhere to hide.

Mo Ivory is a Professor and Director of the Entertainment, Sports, & Media Law Initiative at Georgia State University College of Law and a Principal Consultant. She holds a Juris Doctor from Temple University School of Law and previously worked as an Adjunct Professor at Howard University School of Law and as a radio host.

Priorities: Promoting ethics and transparency within county government. · Improving resident understanding and accessibility of county operations. · Ensuring responsible allocation of taxpayer dollars for core services like justice and health programs.