Savannah City Council election 2023: Who is running for mayor, council this year?

All nine seats on Savannah City Council are up for election this year.

As the August qualifying period approaches, candidates are announcing bids and launching campaigns. All nine incumbents are running again, although one, At-Large Post 1 Alderwoman Kesha Gibson-Carter, is challenging Mayor Van Johnson for the city's top leadership post. Twelve challengers, including a pair of former elected officials in two-term Savannah Alderwoman Carol Bell and former Chatham County Elections Board Member Antwan Lang, have declared their intentions to run.

Qualifying begins Aug. 21 and closes Aug. 25. The municipal election will be held Nov. 7. The election is nonpartisan, meaning there is no primary.

Here are the candidates who responded to requests for information or have campaign websites or publicly viewable social media channels.

Mayor

Van Johnson

Savannah's current mayor confirmed in January his intent to run for second term in January.

Background

Prior to defeating former Mayor Eddie Deloach in 2019, Johnson served as the District 1 alderman for 16 years. Johnson won the mayoral post In a runoff, receiving 14,884 votes to DeLoach’s 9,291.

A graduate of Savannah State and Georgia Southern universities, Johnson currently serves on the National League of Cities Advisory Board. Johnson is retired from a job as the employee services and training manager for Chatham County. Johnson was on the list of Georgia’s Democratic electors who cast Georgia's 16 electoral college votes to President Joe Biden in 2020.

Platform

Johnson cites this council’s work in reducing homelessness, raising the minimum wage for city workers to $15 an hour, and his transparency, noting that he held 51 weekly press conferences in 2022.

"I don’t think anybody has gone harder in the paint for Savannah than me,” Johnson said. “I’m not overconfident, I just know that we have a record that speaks for itself.”

More: Ready to rumble? Savannah's mayor announces 2023 re-election bid vs. Gibson-Carter

Kesha Gibson-Carter

Current At-Large Post 1 Alderwoman Kesha Gibson-Carter has been campaigning for mayor since January 2021.

She announced her intent to run for mayor the day after council voted 6-3 to remove her from her position as council chair over calling fellow member Nick Palumbo "racist" during a December meeting. She labeled the removal a political maneuver.

Background

Gibson-Carter is three years into her service as an elected official. She defeated the incumbent, Carol Bell, in the 2019 race by 255 votes.

Prior to that, Gibson-Carter worked as a community advocate and was the former executive director of the Rape Crisis Center of the Coastal Empire and the Interfaith Hospitality Network, now known as Family Promise, which assists homeless families.

Platform

Gibson-Carter, along with At-Large Post 2 Alderwoman Alicia Miller Blakely, spearheaded an anti-campaign against the Transportation Local Option Sales Tax referendum held in November 2022. TSPLOST failed to pass the countywide vote.

Gibson-Carter frequently pushes for responsible, public-facing use of city funds and more transparency in matters of policy. Gibson-Carter also supports a PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) fee for Savannah College of Art and Design.

"I welcome healthy competition for anyone entering the municipal race. I am not running against the current mayor, I am running to be the next mayor - the 68th mayor of Savannah. Despite large federal subsidies, Savannah has been subjected to increases in crime, homicide, taxes, homelessness, and forced displacement. This mayor has had nearly 20 years to get at least one of these issues under control, but he hasn’t. I would say, may the best man win, but in this case, Savannah’s next mayor will be a woman,” a text from Gibson-Carter read.

More: UPDATED: Savannah Alderwoman Kesha Gibson-Carter to run for mayor in 2023

At-Large Post 1

Roshida Edwards

Roshida Edwards, a lifelong Savannah resident and small business owner, has announced a run for the Savannah City Council At-Large Post 1 seat.

Currently, the seat is held by Alderwoman Kesha Gibson-Carter, who is running for mayor in this November’s municipal election.

Background

Edwards was born and raised in Savannah, the daughter of Harold Edwards Sr., pastor of Fairlawn Baptist Church. She graduated from Groves High School. She grew up living around the west side of Savannah

Edwards is a self-taught businesswoman and operates Wild Cherry Entertainment, an event planning business with events across the Southeast. For the last 12 years, Edwards and Wild Cherry have hosted charity toy drives, lip-sync battles, holiday parties and other events.

She also owns Vintage Special Event Center, a wedding and event venue in the 1st District which opened in June 2022.

Platform

Edwards says public safety is the highest priority issue in her campaign. She says community policing has been a promise made by officials for years, but she has yet to see any real evidence of it. She said she hopes to curb the attrition rate of Savannah police officers, and keep the department fully staffed.

Edwards says as a small business owner, she found herself unsatisfied with the City of Savannah’s permitting process and would push for more consistency as a council member. Additionally, Edwards says she wants to put more city contracts in the hands of local business leaders by revisiting the Savannah First program, which the city piloted in 2020 as a way to involve local and minority-owned businesses in more city contracted projects.

She would also push for council rules changes to address the process for getting an item on the council meeting agenda. Currently, five members of council must support an agenda item for it to be heard during a council meeting, but Edwards hopes to lower that threshold to two or three votes.

When asked what makes her the best candidate for the job, Edwards said "compassion."

"I think [compassion is] the one thing that we're lacking. We can get focused on business and what's best for the city as a whole, but that doesn't mean that we're actually thinking about what's best for the people as a whole, because that's kind of two different umbrellas," Edwards said. "So I feel that I'm the best candidate because I'm going to take both into consideration, and also make sure that what we're doing makes the city more comfortable and a better place to live for the people that call it home."

Antwan Lang

Former Chatham County Elections Board Member Antwan Lang will be running for Savannah City Council's At-Large Post 1 seat in this November's Municipal Election.

The seat is currently held by Alderwoman Kesha Gibson-Carter, who is running for mayor in November.

Background

Lang is a graduate of Savannah State University with a Bachelor of Arts in liberal arts and social sciences and holds a Master of Public Administration degree. Lang also serves as a member of the Georgia National Guard.

He has served as a legislative aide to multiple state representatives, as well as former Savannah City Council member Mary Osborne. Lang's most recent political run was in 2021, when he sought the Georgia House of Representatives District 165 seat, ultimately losing to current Rep. Edna Jackson.

Professionally, Lang runs Atlantic South Group, a lobbying group that mainly focuses on education, affordable energy and business development. He also founded and leads the Atlanta Fulton Foundation, an Atlanta non-profit that raises funds to give to community organizations, with a focus on education, homelessness, foster children and arts and culture.

Platform

Lang said if elected, he'll put a focus on giving residents a voice in the economic development of Savannah and fostering socio-economic resilience coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said encouraging community policing is also a priority, noting it helps citizens see police "in a different light than just an arresting authority.

He also said understanding and planning for the effect the Hyundai plant will have on the community in the coming years is a crucial component of his candidacy, noting he'll be looking to support job training for locals, and planning for the population influx expected to come along with Hyundai.

"I think I have the necessary skills that city council needs at this point, and those skills include the ability to listen, the ability to work well with others, the ability to disagree without being disagreeable and the ability to stay focused on the goals that we've established as council," Lang said. "My goal would be to work with the other council members to get the necessary resources that they need for their districts."

Marc Anthony Smith

Marc Anthony Smith, a Savannah native and a retired police officer, is among the candidates to succeed Kesha Gibson-Carter as an at-large alderman.

Background

Smith spent his professional career in public service with stints in the U.S. Navy, as an educator in the Savannah-Chatham Public School System and as a police officer with the Savannah Police Department and the Savannah-Chatham Board of Education. He retired in 2015.

Smith remains active in the community through his work as an associate pastor for Faith Missionary Baptist Church.

Smith is a familiar name to those who have long followed politics in Savannah. He previously mounted two runs for the Georgia Senate, the first in 1994 while still a student at Savannah State and the second in 2002. He challenged for a U.S. House seat in 2014 in an election ultimately won by Buddy Carter.

He is a Savannah State University graduate with a degree in political science. While in college, he interned under then-U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney.

Carol Bell

Former Savannah Alderwoman Carol Bell will make another bid for city council, running for the at-large post she held for two terms.

Background

Bell worked for the City of Savannah for 38 years prior to retiring in 2011 in order to run for city council. Her final post with the city government was as director of central services.

Bell touts her eight years on council, particularly her work in leading efforts to establish The Front Porch and Summer 500 programs. The Front Porch is partnership between the Chatham County Juvenile Court, the District Attorney’s office and the city and county governments and assists at-risk youth. Summer 500 was a city-led internship initiative for high school students.

Bell has long been active in the community, serving as a past chairwoman of the board for the United Way of the Coastal Empire. She is past president of Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Platform

Bell’s focus is on public safety and affordability with a desire to “build the responsible leadership team to support citizen opportunities."

Bell added: “I’m humbled by the encouragement by so many, especially in recent months, and I look forward to talking about what I can contribute to the city if voters choose to elect me again."

Curtis Singleton, a Savannah native and longtime public policy expert and political operative, has joined the crowded candidate field in the race to succeed Kesha Gibson-Carter as an at-large alderman.

Background

Singleton is seeking elected office for the first time but has worked in politics for decades, dating to an internship with the President Jimmy Carter administration following his graduation from college. He also worked for Georgia Gov. Zell Miller and as a policy analyst in the Georgia General Assembly and for Savannah Mayor Floyd Adams. He has consulted on numerous political campaigns over the years, including Judge Tammy Stokes’ run for Superior Court in 2022.

Singleton currently makes his living as a certified mediation specialist and is the president of the board of the Mediation Center of Coastal Georgia.

Platform

Singleton said he wants to apply his experience in public policy and as a mediator to “transform pain into peace” on Savannah’s often-contentious city council. On the issues, his focus is on promoting policy to improve post-secondary education to “create an educated next generation that can access the jobs coming to Savannah” and to encourage entrepreneurship.

He also cites environmental safety and security, which can range from policing and community engagement to stormwater issues and affordability for residents.

At-Large Post 2

Alicia Miller Blakely

Savannah City Council's At-Large Post 2 Alderwoman Alicia Miller Blakely will run to keep her seat in this November's municipal election.

Blakely was first elected in 2019, defeating Tony Center. Blakely received the most votes out of any citywide post in that election, with 13,642 total votes cast. Blakely is the first Black woman to hold Savannah's At-Large Post 2 seat.

Background

Blakely was born in Philadelphia, but moved to Savannah when she was one year old. She graduated from Savannah High School, and went on to get her undergraduate degree from Savannah State University. She served in the U.S. Army for 25 years, and is a member of the International Longshoremen's Association Local 1414.

She was one of the original members of The Bullhorn Crew, an activist group that held vigils at the scenes of shootings and encouraged conflict resolution over violence.

Platform

Blakely is a vocal supporter of Black businesses and entrepreneurship and the responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Last year, Blakely was one of the spearheads of an anti-TSPLOST campaign, a sales tax which failed a countywide public vote.

Blakely said she would fight against any attempt by the University System of Georgia to consolidate Savannah State University, and preserve Black history and Black historical sites in Savannah.

She also advocates for improving infrastructure in impoverished communities and said community centers, recreation departments and parks deserve more financial support from the city. Blakely said she will make sure "equity is spread across the board."

"My goal is to make sure that the wealth is spread across the whole city, not just in certain areas. We want it to be equitable for everybody," Blakely said. "If you put one penny in taxation, you want to get a return on your investment. And we have not gotten returns on our investments in the city of Savannah."

Patrick Rossiter

Rossiter, son of former At Large Post 2 Councilman Frank P. Rossiter Sr., will seek the same seat his father held for 13 years on Savannah City Council. 

Background

Rossiter spent 39 years as a local educator, coach and school principal, 25 years of which were in the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools. He served as principal at Garden City Elementary and later at the Tybee Island Maritime Academy.  Early on in his professional career, he established the Richmond Hill High School football program.

He currently works at the Port of Savannah as a member of the International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1475 Clerks and Checkers.

Platform

Rossiter supports business and tourism growth but also preserving the integrity of neighborhoods, “from downtown to Georgetown."

Rossiter said he was concerned about council negativity and compared current city council meetings to a “reality show."

“I want to carry on the tradition of public service established by my family and to use my extensive background in education and community service to benefit the entire city of Savannah," Rossiter said.

District 1

Bernetta Lanier

Sitting Savannah City Council 1st District Alderwoman Bernetta Lanier says she will be running for re-election to her current seat in November's municipal election.

Lanier was first elected in 2019, defeating Peter Pannizzo by a wide margin to take now-Mayor Van Johnson's former seat.

Background

Lanier has held several jobs, including 14 years in local government, owning and operating a marketing and management company in the small business sector, and serving as a longshorewoman in the International Longshoreman Association Local 1414 union.

Lanier is a graduate of Groves High School and went on to get a bachelor of political science degree from South Carolina State University, and her master's degree in public administration from Savannah State.

She considers herself a second-generation community leader, following in the footsteps of her father, Rufus Bryant, one of the founders of Savannah's first neighborhood organization in Hudson Hill.

Platform

If re-elected, Lanier says she's looking to Lanier says she plans to introduce more "equity policies," including a community benefit ordinance, and aiming to curb what she called "the environmental injustice and industrial intrusion" into historic westside communities.

She hopes to add additional traffic calming measures in District 1, which she said are not as built out as other areas of the city.

Lanier said one of her highest priorities is the historic Waterworks building's redevelopment into a community market and entrepreneur center.

"We need to make sure the focus is on the needs of the community, the impacted people, citizens," Lanier said. "We need to make sure that citizens are more engaged and better heard through organizations such as alliances, and allowing them more collaborative opportunities."

District 2

Detric Leggett

Leggett is the incumbent and was first elected to council in 2019 after an unsuccessful run in 2015.

Background

Leggett is employed at Memorial Health Medical Center.. He has a long history of community service, including work with the local end gun violence program. He is also a member of the Bullhorn Crew, an activist group that raises awareness about the costs of violent crime on a community.

Leggett is a married father of five children.

Platform

Leggett’s focus for a second term is on slowing down traffic in his district and engaging more residents of the District 2 neighborhoods in order to address crime. He points to several community improvements completed during his tenure, such as the Waters Avenue Streetscape project and the new Delaware Center recreation facility, as successes to build on in his second term.

District 3

Linda Wilder Bryan

Current Savannah City Council District 3 Alderwoman Linda Wilder Bryan has announced she will be pursuing re-election to her current seat.

Wilder Bryan is currently in her first term as the District 3 representative, after defeating former District 3 Alderman John Hall in a tight race in 2019. This year, she has two challengers.

Background

Wilder Bryan is a local community activist and a retired environmental health and safety coordinator for Interfor US Inc. She attended

Wilder Bryan's activism prior to being elected to council included work with anti-gun violence groups, including Mothers of Murdered Sons as well as her own non-profit LB4 and After Foundation, named to honor her late son, Lawrence Bryan IV, who was killed in a shooting in Savannah in 2015.

Platform

Wilder Bryan says she hopes to continue to be a community resource for the 3rd District, aiming to keep the line open for resident concerns.

Wilder Bryan said housing affordability will be a priority, should she be elected for a second term, specifically bridging the gap between developers and residents, with the goal of finding a happy medium. She says helping people experiencing homelessness is high on the list as well.

Wilder Bryan also said she hopes to "get back to the basics" of city governance, by prioritizing infrastructure needs and making sure that the residents of the 3rd District have a voice.

"I want to continue to be Linda. I want to work with everybody, because this isn't just about Linda. It's about the needs of everybody in the 3rd District."

Todd Rhodes

Rhodes is running for office for the second time in two years, having mounted an unsuccessful campaign for Savannah-Chatham School Board president in 2022. He says he is mounting his run as a way to give back to the community that raised him, and hopes to bridge the gap between the local Savannah government and the community they serve.

Rhodes will challenge the incumbent, Linda Wilder-Bryan, who is expected to formally announce a re-election run in the coming days.

Background

Rhodes is the owner of Royal Rhodes Lawn Service, and is actively involved in youth sports programs locally. He’s been coaching youth football since 2005. Rhodes grew up in two areas of Savannah, Tatemville, and also in the 3rd District on Greenwood Street. He graduated from Beach High School and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree from Liberty University. He is set to graduate this summer.

Last year, he coached football at St. Andrew's and will be doing the same at Jenkins High this year. He also founded the Savannah Royal Lions, a sports league nonprofit dedicated to mentoring youth ages 6 to 18, both in school and afterschool.

Platform

Rhodes says the opportunities for youth in the city are “slim to none” and says the lack thereof gives kids idle time, which can lead to trouble. He said, if elected, he’ll be an advocate for providing more activities for Savannah’s younger community.

He hopes to push for more community policing through increasing staffing at Savannah Police Department, allowing officers more the chance to spend more time in the communities they serve.

Rhodes also said he would be a responsible steward for the city's tax dollars and search for ways to lift some of the financial burden off residents. Rhodes also said he wants to be assessible to the community, bridging the gaps between them and their local government.

Clinton Cowart

If elected, Cowart will push policies that ensure more Savannnahians benefit from the area's thriving economy,

Cowart will challenge the incumbent, Linda Wilder-Bryan, who is expected to formally announce a re-election run in the coming days.

Background

Cowart was born in Savannah and graduated from Sol C. Johnson High School in 1991. He went on to earn a liberal arts degree from Armstrong State University. He also holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Georgia Southern University, and a master's degree in human resources from Webster University.

Cowart worked in the hospitality industry as the HR director for MSG Staffing Agency for two years before entering politics in 2021. Prior to that, he operated a consulting business called Cowart Consulting.

Platform

Cowart said he aims to support efforts to encourage more neighborhood policing, which he says builds trust in police officers while deterring crime.

Cowart also listed transparency as a key platform point, especially in regard to how tax dollars are spent. He also said the current council rule requiring majority approval to get an item on the council agenda is a bad policy.

He wants lower taxes and more traffic safety measures in District 3.

Malik Jones

Motivational speaker and native Savannahian Malik Jones has announced his candidacy for Savannah City Council District 3.

Jones said his run was inspired by his love for his community and says he hopes to be an example for youth in the area.

Jones is the fourth candidate to declare his or her candidacy in the eastside district. The incumbent, Linda Wilder-Bryan, has announced for re-election while two other challengers, Todd Rhodes and Clinton Cowart, are running as well.

Background

Jones was born in Carver Village but was raised in District 3. He graduated from Savannah High School and attended Savannah State University for a year but did not receive a degree.

Jones says he plans to re-enroll at Savannah State University if elected to council, pursuing a degree in political science. Jones works as a motivational speaker and mentor as well as a GHSA basketball official. He is a member of International Longshoreman's Local 1414.

Platform

Jones pledges to push for more economic development in District 3 and says he hopes to remove barriers for businesses in the city’s licensing process, specifically in regards to alcohol licensing. Recently, sitting Alderwoman Linda Wilder Bryan came under fire after voting against providing an alcohol license to Cru Lounge, a Black-owned nightclub chain looking to set up a location in the 3rd District.

“Community regeneration” is also a key platform point for Jones. He says this means constituents will guide his decision making. His goal is a safer, more resilient community.

Jones also says he hopes to include youth in decision-making processes and is a proponent of giving youth "every resource and every hour they need in order to become successful and productive citizens.”

“A lot of people get into politics, and they forget about the fact they are in those positions to represent the people. I work for the people. Not some people, I work for all people. And I'm going to show that once I'm elected in this next race, I want to show that all people need representation at city council."

Tammy Stone

Tammy Stone, owner of Xscape Hair Studio, has announced she’ll be running for Savannah City Council District 3 in November.

Stone says she hopes to make the most of her coming retirement, by dedicating her time to Savannah City Council, hoping to be a community resource for residents and entrepreneurs like herself.Related image (ID: 11896239002)

The seat is currently held by Alderwoman Linda Wilder-Bryan, and is the most populated race in Council’s November selection.

Background

Stone was born in Savannah, and raised by her grandmother. She moved to Massachusetts at a young age, and graduated from Peabody Veterans Memorial High School. After graduating, she took on an apprenticeship at a hair salon. She returned to Savannah in 1991.

After a few years of training, she passed her state exam, and founded her own hair salon,  Xscape Hair Studio, which she has owned for 32 years. Stone is looking to retire soon, and said she sees serving on council as a way to give back to the Savannah Community.

Stone also hosts "Tee Time with Tammy," a Facebook Live showcase of interviews with Savannah residents.

Platform

Stone says her understanding of the business world provides her an opportunity to get the right information to prospective business owners in regards to zoning, licensing and permits.

She said caring for the elders in District 3 is also a high priority on the list, and said she would encourage them to reach out to her with questions regarding property, even something as simple as cutting the grass or taking the trash out, noting "We need to get back to the days when the neighbors would check on their neighbors."

Stone also promised to work with the city to establish more programs for youth in the summertime, including summer employment and expanding the resources for youth in District 3, a notion she believes will cut down on crime.

“I want to be that person that they can come to and say ‘Ms. Tammy, I'm concerned about this.’ And I want to take those concerns to heart and do as much as I possibly can to get them the assistance that they need, the help that they need,” Stone said. “I have experience, I have a heart for everybody. I want us to be able to reach across the line, so to speak. I don't want to be on this pod or that or with this team or that team, I would be my own person.”

District 4

Nick Palumbo

Savannah's 4th District Alderman Nick Palumbo has announced he'll be seeking re-election in this year's municipal election.

Palumbo, first elected in 2019, ran unopposed.

Background

Palumbo was born and raised in New Orleans, and raised in lower Alabama. He graduated from Daphne High School, and went on to get his undergraduate degree in administrative science from the University of South Alabama, and earned his master's degree in education from Armstrong.

Palumbo worked as a police officer in Washington D.C. before meeting his wife in Savannah, moving here shortly after.

Platform

Palumbo said his main priorities for a second term would be ensuring housing accessibility, and continuing the work he's done in his first term on transportation and mobility and public safety.

He said with the Hyundai plant, and the massive population influx expected to accompany it, on the horizon, Palumbo said the city will need leadership to prepare for the future, especially in regards to housing. Palumbo predicts housing affordability to be "the crisis of this generation," and hopes to make headway on the issue in his time in office.

"We have served in some of the most tumultuous times in our city's history, and led us through these changes to greater heights. Now it's time to build upon those successes for our future," Palumbo said. "Our city's best days are just ahead of us, but we need to make sure we have the right leadership in place to bring that to life."

District 5

Estella Shabazz

Current District 5 Alderwoman and Mayor Pro-Tem Estella Shabazz announced on Wednesday she will run for re-election to her current post.

Shabazz has served on city council for 12 years, first elected in 2012.

Background

The City of Savannah hired Shabazz in an engineering role in 1986, making her the first Black woman to serve as a civil engineer for the city.

She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering Technology from Savannah State University, her Master of Divinity Degree from Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theology Center in Atlanta and her Doctorate of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Platform

Shabazz said her civil engineering background would help her "continue to ensure our local infrastructure is a priority." She said she would continue to push for the mixed-use development long planned for the former Coastal Empire Fairgrounds property, which she said was "in the competent hands of our city manager."

"I have stood on the frontlines of this district, a place that I love, and that has been home for me for a lifetime. As a voice from the citizens from all walks of life in our community, supporting our senior citizens, building bridges for our youth and the next generation of leaders," Shabazz said.

Robert Bryant

Robert Bryant says he was inspired to run after having conversations with people in his home district about the level of advocacy expected from the bench at city hall, and he believes his current representative, longtime Alderwoman and Mayor Pro-Tem Estella Shabazz, is not meeting that standard.

Background

Bryant was born and raised in Savannah's Liberty City neighborhood, and says he still remembers when it was mostly dirt roads. Bryant is a Windsor Forest High School graduate. He holds a bachelor's and master's degree from Georgia Southern University, and a doctrate in adult education from the University of Georgia.

Bryant remained in the higher education sector after attaining his degrees and currently serves as the director of development for inclusion and equity fundraising efforts for Clemson University.

Bryant lost the Georgia PSC race to the incumbent, Republican Jason Shaw, by 190,000 votes on Nov. 3, 2020, narrowly missing a runoff.

Platform

Bryant says his first priority is "protecting our community" nothing that the job of elected representatives is not to advocate for themselves, but by "identifying resources, developing partnerships and working with our constituents."

Bryant said "valuing our community" is the second facet of his approach, noting the 5th District is one of the most historic Black districts in the city, and says, if elected, he will work to protect the area from overdevelopment and gentrification. By doing so, he hopes to preserve the culture and voices of elders in the community.

He says he will "be the voice of residents at the planning table," staying engaged with community leaders to make sure the interests of the 5th are aligned with any new developments. Bryant says he hopes to identify resources that will help the district through asset based approach to community development.

District 6

Kurtis Purtee

Savannah's current District 6 Alderman Kurtis Purtee announced Feb. 4 he will run for re-election in November.

Purtee, a Georgia Southern University police captain, was first elected to the post in 2019, defeating longtime District 6 Rep. Tony Thomas with a 53% margin.

Background

Purtee was born and raised in Michigan, working as a dairy farmer through middle and high school. He moved to Savannah in 2005, where he began his 22-year law enforcement career. He holds a bachelor's degree from Mountain State University and a master's degree in criminal justice from Georgia Southern University.

Purtee also serves on many local boards, including Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless, Windsor Forest Neighbors Feeding Neighbors, and has volunteered with Savannah Jaycees, Keep Savannah Beautiful Campaign, Campus Vote Project, America's Second Harvest and the Adopt-A-Road Initiative.

Platform

If re-elected, Purtee said his priorities for his second term include a continued focus on infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks and drainage.

Purtee says he hopes to "address homelessness with a community approach," adding that he is "committed to working with resources to address homelessness in our area."

He is also focused on completing the Southside Community Center, a community service center where southside residents can pay their water bills, talk to code enforcement and host community meetings, and to bring "vitality" to the Savannah Mall corridor through the Southside Master Plan

Mike McCann

White Bluff Methodist Church Youth Pastor Mike McCann has announced his run for Savannah City Council's District 6 seat, and he hopes to bring a spirit of collaboration to council.

McCann has lived in the Savannah area for four years and moved here to take a job as general manager at Vaden Nissan. He's worked 26 years in the automotive industry.

Background

McCann, born and raised in Bakersfield, California, is known by many as Coach McCann. He coaches multiple teams from multiple sports, and is actively involved in youth sports programs around the city.

He serves on the board of the Frank Callen Boys and Girls Club, the Habersham YMCA and the city's sports and recreation board. He is the vice president of Savannah Ambucs, the president of Chatham County Little League, president of Chatham County NFL Flag, and the immediate past president of Savannah Rotary Club South.

Platform

Crime reduction will be a top priority of his campaign. McCann said budgeting for Savannah Police Department "isn't done right," and said while programs to attract new police officers sound good on paper, he has yet to see satisfactory results.

McCann also said he hopes to increase outreach to people experiencing homelessness and wants to build out more resources to fight homelessness, namely a day center on the southside. McCann also said he plans on pushing for more affordable housing and more collaboration on the city council dais.

Chase DeCarlo

Chase DeCarlo, a Beaufort native who works in medical device sales, has launched a bid to represent Southside residents on Savannah City Council.

Background

DeCarlo moved across the Savannah River for college, attending Georgia Southern University and playing football for the Eagles. He transferred after one year and finished school and his football career at PennWest University in California.

DeCarlo moved to Savannah a decade ago and settled on the southside. He is a board member with the Windsor Forest Neighborhood Association.

Platform

DeCarlo lists a number of priorities, ranging from infrastructure and advancing business interests in his district to homelessness, community redevelopment and policing. His core campaign message is that the incumbent, Purtee, lacks leadership and vision and that no city projects in the district have advanced during Purtee's time on council.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Election 2023: Who are the candidates for Savannah City Council seats?