Jefferson's Mayor Howell completes inaugural Georgia Mayors ...

Jon Howell is from Jefferson. He and his wife, Emily, have two daughters. He’s also chair of the Board of Deacons at First Baptist Church Jefferson and the immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Jefferson.

Jon has worked in business, healthcare, and public affairs. He was a Senior Vice President for Strategy for a statewide health system. 

Jon is currently the mayor of Jefferson. He was first elected to the position in 2020 and is currently serving his first term. Before becoming mayor, he served on the Jefferson City Council from 2017 to 2020.

As a city council member, prioritized low taxes and zoning that protects neighborhoods and home values.

As a city council member and mayor, prioritized low taxes and zoning that protects neighborhoods and home values.

- As a city council member and mayor, prioritized low taxes and zoning that protects neighborhoods and home values.
- As mayor, supported property tax cuts.

Economy

Under Howell's leadership, Jefferson has been recognized as one of the top 5 safest cities in Georgia, a "City of Ethics" and "City of Civility" by the Georgia Municipal Association, "Tree City USA" by the Arbor Day Foundation, and "Water First City" by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority.

Under his leadership, Jefferson has been recognized as one of the top 5 safest cities in Georgia, a "City of Ethics" and "City of Civility" by the Georgia Municipal Association, "Tree City USA" by the Arbor Day Foundation, and "Water First City" by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority.

- Under his leadership, Jefferson has been recognized as one of the top 5 safest cities in Georgia, a "City of Ethics" and "City of Civility" by the Georgia Municipal Association, "Tree City USA" by the Arbor Day Foundation, and "Water First City" by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority.

Public Services

As of September 4, 2025, Jon S. Howell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Housing & Urban Development

Under Howell's leadership, Jefferson is rated as one of the top 5 safest cities in Georgia.

Under his leadership, Jefferson is rated as one of the top 5 safest cities in Georgia.

- Under his leadership, Jefferson is rated as one of the top 5 safest cities in Georgia.

Public Safety

Believes in strategic investment in infrastructure, such as water resources, to enhance quality of life.

- Believes in strategic investment in infrastructure, such as water resources, to enhance quality of life.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Jon S. Howell

As a city council member, prioritized zoning that protects neighborhoods and home values.

Jon Howell is from Jefferson. He and his wife, Emily Foster Howell, are raising their two daughters, Georgie (13) and Lucy (11), in Jefferson City Schools, giving him a personal stake in the future of the community he serves. He’s also chair of the Board of Deacons at First Baptist Church Jefferson and the immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Jefferson.

Jon Howell is a devoted husband, father, and committed member of The Jefferson Church. He and his wife, Emily Foster Howell, are raising their two daughters, Georgie (13) and Lucy (11), in Jefferson City Schools, giving him a personal stake in the future of the community he serves.

As mayor, Howell prioritized building a new fire station to improve response times for emergencies.

As mayor, supported the designation of "Tree City USA" by the Arbor Day Foundation and "Water First City" by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority.

Buket Urgen

Meet the Candidates: Dawn Maddox, Jefferson City Council District ...

Dawn Shaw Maddox is from Georgia. She has a bachelor's degree in history and business law from Kennesaw State University. She lives with her husband, Josh, and their five children in Jefferson. She attends Union Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, Jefferson.

Dawn is a substitute teacher at Jefferson City Schools. She previously ran her own business, Jefferson Power Yoga, from 2009 until she closed it. Earlier in her career, she worked in customer service at Print Direction in Norcross.

Dawn previously served on the Jefferson City Council until her resignation in 2025. 

As a city council member, led efforts to develop a regional biosolids drying facility, saving taxpayers over $500,000 annually.

- As a city council member, led efforts to develop a regional biosolids drying facility, saving taxpayers over $500,000 annually.

Plans to have an open door policy for citizens with posted office hours, and will share biweekly video updates on social media to keep citizens informed on the state of the city.

- Plans to have an open door policy for citizens with posted office hours, and will share biweekly video updates on social media to keep citizens informed on the state of the city.

As of September 3, 2025, Dawn Shaw Maddox’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports competitive wages for police officers, water department employees, and firefighters to retain quality staff.

- Supports competitive wages for police officers, water department employees, and firefighters to retain quality staff.

Believes in improving infrastructure to support retail and dining.

Believes Jefferson's traffic problems require collaboration with state and federal authorities due to its location at the intersection of several state highways and an interstate.

- Believes in improving infrastructure to support retail and dining.
- Believes Jefferson's traffic problems require collaboration with state and federal authorities due to its location at the intersection of several state highways and an interstate.

Supports the "Adopt a Road" project, encouraging citizens to pick up trash in their neighborhoods.

Supports an "Adopt a Road" project, encouraging citizens to pick up trash in their neighborhoods.

- Supports an "Adopt a Road" project, encouraging citizens to pick up trash in their neighborhoods.

Dawn Shaw Maddox

Dawn is from Georgia. She has a bachelor's degree in history and business law from Kennesaw State University. She lives with her husband, Josh, and their five children in Jefferson.

Dawn is a substitute teacher at Jefferson City Schools. She previously ran her own business, Jefferson Power Yoga, from 2009 until she closed it. Earlier in her career, she worked in customer service for two years at Print Direction in Norcross.

Dawn is a former Jefferson City Council member for District 2. She was first elected in 2022 and resigned in 2025. She was appointed by the Mayor to the Library Board of Trustees and served on the Jackson County Board of Health. 

Dawn is a substitute teacher at Jefferson City Schools. She previously ran her own business, Jefferson Power Yoga, starting in 2009. Earlier in her career, she worked in customer service for two years at Print Direction in Norcross.

Dawn is currently a city council member for Jefferson's 2nd District. She was first elected in 2020 and is serving her first term. She was appointed by the Mayor to the Library Board of Trustees and served on behalf of the Mayor on the Jackson County Board of Health.

Dawn previously ran for Jefferson City Council District 2 in 2021 but did not win.

Plans to implement an "Adopt a Road" project to encourage citizens to pick up trash in their neighborhoods.

Believes in being proactive with infrastructure to support the development of retail and dining.

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor runs the city day to day and prepares the budget each year, meaning that they propose how much funding goes to each city department, including the police department, city parks, transportation, and the fire department. 
- The mayor also hires the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and city department heads, such as City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation. 
- Most Georgia mayors are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 