Controversial mayor out of running as South Fulton mayoral race heads to runoff

Controversial South Fulton mayor overwhelmingly defeated

The controversial mayor of South Fulton is out of the running for re-election, but the City of South Fulton won’t know who its next mayor will be until next month.

SOUTH FULTON, Ga. - The controversial mayor of South Fulton is out of the running for re-election, but the City of South Fulton won’t know who its next mayor will be until next month.

Runoff in City of South Fulton mayor race

What we know:

No candidate received more than 50% of the vote in Tuesday’s election. Now, the mayoral race has been narrowed to two candidates who will face off in a December runoff election.

READ MORE: South Fulton mayor election: Meet the candidates

District 2 Councilwoman Carmelitha Gumbs and former Councilman Dr. Mark Baker will face off in a Dec. 2 runoff after finishing first and second, respectively, in Tuesday’s election. Early voting runs Nov. 22 through Nov. 26.

Gumbs, an inaugural member of South Fulton’s City Council, led the field of nine candidates with about 39 percent of the vote. She said the results show voters are looking for a new direction.

Source: City of South Fulton

"They are ready for change in South Fulton. That was the most important thing I walked away with. They are tired of the drama. They are tired of all of the headlines on the news and missed opportunities," Gumbs said.

Baker, an education consultant and former councilman, called his second-place finish a surprise. He said he entered the race late and relied mostly on volunteers.

"The front runners who had a long runway, a long runway before taking off and I just feel like what we did, but we accomplished with the money that we accomplished it with. We really had a shoestring budget and a lot of volunteers who came together to make a change for the city they know and love," Baker said.

Gumbs reported raising roughly $160,000 for her campaign. Baker said he reached the runoff with about $10,000. Both say they are confident heading into the final stretch.

"I’m just gonna keep running a positive and above board campaign," Gumbs said.

Mayor Khalid Kamau out of running for re-election

Dig deeper:

Incumbent Mayor Khalid Kamau, who received just over 4% of the vote (1,268 votes), finished sixth in the nine-candidate field, while former Mayor Bill Edwards came in fourth.

Kamau has been accused of improperly spending city funds and is currently facing trespassing charges — allegations he denies.