Andre Dickens wins reelection, vows to 'get to work' for Atlanta
Dickens on reelection: 'Let’s get to work, ATL'
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens celebrated his reelection Tuesday night, thanking supporters and pledging to keep building what he called Atlanta’s "group project" of progress. In a speech at the Hyatt Regency, he highlighted achievements in affordable housing, public safety, and city services while promising to "get to work" for another four years.
ATLANTA - Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens secured his reelection Tuesday night, winning more than half the vote in a nonpartisan race and avoiding a runoff to claim a second term leading the city.
The Associated Press called the race for Dickens within 20 minutes of the polls closing in the City of Atlanta. Municipal polls in the city stayed open an extra hour, closing at 8 p.m.
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Dickens: ‘I’m so excited to be your mayor’
What they're saying:
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens celebrated his reelection Tuesday night before a cheering crowd at the Hyatt Regency downtown, declaring victory and promising to build on what he called the city’s "group project" of progress and unity.
Speaking shortly before 10 p.m., Dickens told supporters he was humbled to earn a second term leading the city where he grew up. "I’m so excited to be your mayor for four more years," he said. "At 16 years old, a kid from Adamsville, I dreamed and believed that I would become mayor of Atlanta one day."
Dickens reflected on his journey from the city’s southwest side to City Hall, paying tribute to the late Mayor Maynard Jackson and other past leaders, as well as his mentor Cabrera Franklin. He also thanked his campaign team, volunteers, and family — including his 20-year-old daughter, who voted for him for the first time Tuesday.
In his remarks, Dickens touted achievements from his first term, including the creation of more than 12,000 affordable housing units, a 44 percent drop in homicides, and a citywide minimum wage increase for municipal employees. He pointed to Atlanta’s newly earned triple-A credit rating and investments in green space and youth employment as evidence of the city’s progress.
"Our success is undeniable," Dickens said. "The group project of Atlanta is unstoppable."
The mayor also addressed broader economic and political challenges, pledging to focus his second term on lowering housing costs, supporting workers and seniors, and maintaining public safety. He criticized the ongoing federal government shutdown and praised Democratic Public Service Commission candidates Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard for their victories, saying they would help reduce utility costs for Georgians.
"Cities are being called upon to fill that gap," Dickens said. "When the federal government doesn’t stand up for the people of Atlanta, the people of Atlanta stand up for themselves."
He closed his speech with a call to action, urging residents to stay engaged and united in shaping the city’s future. "I love this city, and from the looks of it, this city loves me back," Dickens said. "Let’s get to work, ATL."
Mayor Dickens' first-term accomplishments
The backstory:
Dickens pointed to several key achievements during his first term as evidence of momentum heading into his next term.
One of his signature goals was boosting affordable housing. He pledged to build or preserve 20,000 affordable units over his two terms. By his announcement of his reelection bid, more than half of those units had been built or were under construction.
On public safety, Dickens credited his administration with significant reductions in violent crime. According to publicly released figures, overall violent crime in the city dropped by about 46 % from 2023 to 2024, and youth crime fell by 23 %.
Infrastructure and city stabilization were also a focus. For example, in June 2024 Dickens pledged a $5-million package to aid businesses impacted by a major water main rupture and announced plans to upgrade the city’s aging water infrastructure.
Dickens also pointed to preparation for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup matches to be held in Atlanta as an opportunity for economic boost, saying the city had repaved roads and upgraded lighting in anticipation of visitors.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens claims victory in his reelection bid for a second term during an Election Night speech on Nov. 4, 2025. (FOX 5)
Criticisms of Dickens in first term
The other side:
Despite the accomplishments, Dickens’s first term also included several controversies and areas of concern.
A major flashpoint has been the proposed and partially built public-safety training center, dubbed "Cop City" by its critics. Dickens supported the facility, saying the city needs better-trained first responders, but opponents argued it would further militarize police and harm an adjacent Black neighborhood. The project became even more contentious after a protester was killed during demonstrations near the site.
On the water infrastructure front, while Dickens promised improvements, his administration drew criticism for its response to the June 2024 water main rupture. He left the city shortly after the first leak began, and the city’s communication during the crisis was faulted by business owners and residents.
Oversight and governance issues also emerged. The city inspector general resigned in early 2024 following alleged clashes with the mayor’s office over access and transparency, raising questions about accountability.
Progressives and transit advocates say Dickens has fallen short on expanding public transportation. For instance he abandoned a planned light-rail line along the Eastside Beltline trail, saying the money would be better spent elsewhere, which drew criticism from transit advocates who say Atlanta lacks sufficient rail progress.
What's next:
With the second term appearing to be approved by voters, Dickens says he will pivot toward a "group project" of making Atlanta "a city everyone can want to raise a family in." He has outlined priorities including further expansion of affordable housing, continued crime reduction, major infrastructure improvements, and leveraging the 2026 World Cup to bring investment and visibility to the city.
At the same time, he will face pressure to heal rifts created by the controversies of his first term, particularly with progressive activists and community groups who felt sidelined. Analysts say his success in the next four years will depend partly on his ability to build broader coalitions and deliver on long-term promises in transit and inclusive budget decisions.
The Source: The details in this article are from Election Night results. The Associated Press called the race for Mayor Andre Dickens and contributed to this report. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reporting was also used with the links in the article above.