Atlanta's 61st mayor, Andre Dickens, has put the word out that he's gunning for a second term. According to an announcement from his office on Monday, as reported by Atlanta News First, Dickens is keen on continuing the work he started when first elected to the city's top job in 2021. “I believe we have accomplished a lot in the first two years, and I intend to work hard in the next two years and beyond", Dickens said in the statement.
The race for the mayor's office in 2025 might seem a distance away, but Dicken's reelection campaign's gears are already turning, aligned to support President Biden and Vice President Harris for another term, while he aims to keep sharpening his focus on reducing violent crime and increasing access to affordable housing and jobs with livable wages.
"I love being the mayor of Atlanta, a job I’ve wanted since I was 16 years old. I believe we have accomplished a lot in the first two years, and I intend to work hard in the next two years and beyond. There are many things happening before I make a formal announcement, including getting President Biden and Vice President Harris reelected, continuing to reduce violent crime, and increasing access to affordable housing and jobs that pay living wages. Together, we will ensure we have a city where all are safe and everyone can thrive." Dickens told 11Alive in a statement obtained by the publication.
Dickens' initial run was a classic underdog story – he was up against stronger names like then-City Council President Felicia Moore and former Mayor Kasim Reed. Yet, with a vigorous ground campaign and two-term experience as a city councilmember under his belt, he earned over 60% of the vote, defeating Moore in a decisive runoff election.
Since taking office, Mayor Dickens has been a man on a mission. He's tackled a decline in crime and invested in youth outreach and community initiatives, with a spotlight on housing. Simultaneously, he's kept himself in the thick of controversies such as the opposition to the Buckhead cityhood movement and the fiery debates around the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, as per a report from Atlanta News First. It's a balance of progress and pushback, with issues like the closure of WellStar Atlanta Medical Center and the city's ongoing homelessness crisis still on his desk.
Dickens, who's a native of Atlanta, has also been dealing with disappointments, such as the failed pitch to bring the 2024 Democratic National Convention to his hometown.
