The question of who is going to occupy the White House is not the only pressing one on Atlantans’ ballots this November. The Atlanta City Council, which governs the 12 districts of Atlanta, is holding an election for the Post 3 At-Large seat. Five candidates are competing to hold the position, one of three spots on the City Council that the entirety of Atlanta elects. These seats have more influence than other council positions, as their constituency is the whole city, not individual districts.
The importance of civic engagement in local politics is more pertinent than ever, especially because the City Council also governs Emory University and its community. Rising housing costs are pushing residents into homelessness, zoning and housing codes reflect a need for reform and the construction of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, nicknamed “Cop City,” raises crucial questions about the future of public safety in Atlanta. On top of this, Emory students have a lot to gain from good governance of the city, and as members of the Atlanta community, we must do our best to be informed and ensure that those who occupy city offices reflect our values.
The Editorial Board summarized each of the candidates’ views below and found that Devin Barrington-Ward — a local leader and activist — is the best choice to be our next city councilor.
Devin Barrington-Ward
Barrington-Ward is a lifelong resident of Atlanta and a committed advocate. He has served the Atlanta community as a Movement for Black Lives organizer and was a member of the Taskforce to Reimagine Public Safety and Incarceration under former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms. Barrington-Ward’s commitment to improving the lives of Atlantans is grounded in personal experience: He experienced homelessness during his youth and intimately understands low-income citizens’ needs for governmental support and the feeling of not having it delivered.
His personal experience and dedication to his community are bolstered by strong policy proposals and a progressive platform. Barrington-Ward supports crucial reforms to zoning codes to create new affordable housing that meets the needs of Atlanta residents.
“Tax credits, grants, and low-interest loans will incentivize developers to invest in new construction projects, particularly in underserved neighborhoods or areas in need of revitalization,” Barrington-Ward said in an interview with Abundant Housing Atlanta. “These incentives can stimulate investment, create jobs, and revitalize communities while increasing the supply of housing in Atlanta.”
Barrington-Ward is also the only candidate who is a vocal critic of Cop City. He also supports increased investment in youth programs, public green spaces, homeless shelters and mental health resources. These reforms are essential to increasing community safety, proving that he is committed to supporting non-violent alternatives to crime prevention.
Though we find other candidates, like Eshé Collins and Nicole Jones, to have strong policy proposals and valuable experience, Barrington-Ward, with his ambitious policies, diverse experiences and accomplishments and selfless commitment to community, is most suited to usher in the change Atlanta needs.
Eshé Collins
Collins, a lawyer and former school teacher, was elected to the Atlanta Public Schools’ Board of Education in 2013 and reelected in 2017 and 2021. If elected for City Council, she would have to abdicate her position on the Board of Education.
Collins’ tenure on the school board was far from perfect. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, student proficiency in mathematics and English fell dramatically while graduation rates reached record highs, generating concerns over declining standards in the Atlanta Public Schools District. Additionally, voters should be wary of Collins’ seemingly infinite checkbook undergirding her political platform. Her policy proposals would increase funding for homeless shelters, housing programs, healthcare services, gun violence prevention initiatives, water pipe restoration, accelerating sidewalk and curb ramp repairs, neighborhood planning units and government transparency. Collins has not outlined how the city would generate additional revenue to cover the costs of her ambitious projects.
However, Collins has some bright policy proposals. These include holding rotating council meetings in underrepresented neighborhoods, supporting housing policies that increase home density in areas near transit hubs and commercial corridors and approving more multi-family housing units.
Nicole Jones
Before working as a small-business owner, Jones spent 30 years as a counselor and principal in the Atlanta Public Schools district. She has progressive views on public safety reforms — such as increasing funding for the “pre-arrest” diversion initiative that creates alternatives to incarceration for non-violent criminals — and emphasizes transportation reform, advocating for the creation of more bike lanes and sidewalk repair.
However, Jones does not have a clear stance on “Cop City,” which continues to be a divisive policy discussion in Atlanta. She is opposed to adding a popular referendum that would put the lease agreement for Cop City on voters’ ballots. This stance reflects poorly on Jones’ commitment to upholding the interests of her constituents and should worry community members hoping for police reform.
Amber Higgins Connor
Connor’s platform leans heavily on law-and-order rhetoric and centers on crime prevention. Connor, a landscaping business owner, often touts her work with Georgia’s state legislature to pass Senate Bill 402, which tightens regulations around signature bonds. This means that Connor supports limits to judges’ abilities to release individuals without financial bail. While she claims the bill “holds judges accountable,” critics argue it disproportionately harms low-income people who cannot afford to post bail, exacerbating pretrial incarceration rates. Connor’s callous approach to criminal justice reform risks stymying meaningful discussions within the City Council about rehabilitation and systemic change.
Furthermore, her platform is largely out of touch with the needs of everyday Atlantans. Violent crime has been decreasing in Atlanta since 2021, reaching historic lows in 2023. Healthcare, gun violence prevention, homelessness and government transparency — crucial topics regarding the city’s future — are noticeably absent from Connor’s platform, showing that, as a councilor, she would not prioritize issues at the forefront of many residents’ minds.
Duvwon Robinson
Robinson has built a reputation of dissent by attending Atlanta City Council meetings for over a decade. Following a failed bid for county tax commissioner, Robinson is launching his second campaign for the City Council.
Robinson’s pro-business stance will resonate with entrepreneurs, but his vague comments about working with labor unions “to understand what lines not to cross” raise concerns about his commitment to protecting worker rights. Moreover, his involvement in a legal dispute with the deputy director of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — which has resulted in the deputy director filing a temporary restraining order against him — casts doubt on his judgment and capacity for leadership. Robinson’s platform lacks the depth and vision that the Editorial Board expects from a prospective council member.
