In the lead-up to the 2021 Atlanta City Elections, the Southerner has compiled a list of 8 key races that readers in the district that Midtown High School will be voting on. Using official statements, previous reports and recorded interviews, the Southerner has broken down the candidates’ positions on specific issues.
At-Large City Council Post 2
October 29, 2021
On November 2, 2021, when the entire nation takes off work and school to vote, current members Matt Westmoreland and Sonya Russell-Ofchus will compete for a seat on the Atlanta City Council, representing At-large Post 2.
Matt Westmoreland has been on the Atlanta City Council since the 2017 election and is running for re-election this upcoming November. Westmoreland is a nonpartisan affiliate and an Atlanta native, having attended Morningside Elementary, Inman Middle, and, formerly known, Henry W. Grady High School, now Midtown High School. He later went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree at Princeton University. Westmoreland also held the District 3 seat on the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) Board of Education in 2013.
Sonya Russell-Ofchus is a new candidate to the Atlanta City Council ballot and is also an Atlanta native, like Westmoreland. Russell-Ofchus is a retired federal agent, a successful small-business owner, and worked as a police officer for the City of Atlanta for more than 10 years. Russell-Ofchus attended Northside High School, a school within APS, and got her bachelor’ Degree at St. Leo University.
This election will highlight differences in prominent issues that include the city’s future economic, crime, social equity, housing, and infrastructure needs.
Matt Westmoreland
Economy
- Encourages population density in neighborhoods while protecting the trees
- Strives to revitalize the city without displacing current residents
Crime
- Wants to build fully-staffed police and fire departments that are well-trained and competitively-paid who will protect the community
Social Equity
- Promotes health centers, public art, and eliminate all food deserts across the city
- Ensure being partners with APS and other affiliates to provide quality Early Childhood Education, various services for students and families, and workforce development opportunities for residents of every age
Housing
- Wants to ensure long-term housing affordability without gentrification
Infrastructure
- Strives to create more walkable communities to decrease the ecological footprint
- Design a transit framework that will correct the current chronic traffic congestion and transit-dependent residents in the city
Shea Edwards is a senior and this is her fourth year writing for the Southerner. This year, she is editor in chief for the lifestyle section. Outside of...
Sonya Russell-Ofchus
Economy
- Wants to address an increase in job opportunities
- Is supported by the Professional Association of City Employees Union (PACE) by an endorsement of her race
- Believes every employee matters in the city’s overall success
- Supports local job fairs to help people get jobs
Crime
- Emphasizes leadership to help stop the surge in crime
- Wants to stop the root causes of crime
- Strives to increase positive relationships between citizens and police
Social Equity
- Emphasizes the representation of the community and gives the city a voice in the city hall
- Wants to work hard to understand the needs of our community and ensure equity and inclusion are key pillars of city operations
Housing
- Emphasizes addressing the housing needs of every individual in Atlanta
- Wants to create a community filled with more affordable housing for all
Infrastructure
- No information found
Shea Edwards is a senior and this is her fourth year writing for the Southerner. This year, she is editor in chief for the lifestyle section. Outside of...