AROUND TOWN: Another candidate hops into race for Marietta mayor

Sam Foster is from Georgia and currently lives in southwest Marietta. He has a bachelor's degree in information technology from Kennesaw State University.

Sam's campaign for Marietta Mayor is his first entry into politics. 

Believes property taxes increase due to rising city service costs and a stagnant tax base. Plans to ease tax burdens by encouraging infill development, particularly in downtown areas, to boost commercial investment without expanding infrastructure.

Plans to ease tax burdens by encouraging infill development, particularly in downtown areas, to boost commercial investment without expanding "costly infrastructure."

- Plans to ease tax burdens by encouraging infill development, particularly in downtown areas, to boost commercial investment without expanding "costly infrastructure."

Economy

Believes Marietta’s seniors deserve dignity, independence, and community connection by investing in accessible, affordable housing and transit options, and supports zoning reforms for smaller homes to meet their needs.

Supports directing funds to expand affordable housing and transit for seniors, including zoning reforms that allow smaller, more manageable homes.

Supports transparency in local government by publishing accessible data on budgets, development, and public meetings.

Supports transparency in local government and pledges to publish accessible data on budgets, development, and public meetings. 

Supports creating systems for ongoing public input, proactive communication, and community oversight to ensure local government accountability.

Plans to develop systems for public input, proactive communication, and community oversight to ensure government accountability.

- Supports directing funds to expand affordable housing and transit for seniors, including zoning reforms that allow smaller, more manageable homes.
- Supports transparency in local government and pledges to publish accessible data on budgets, development, and public meetings. 
- Plans to develop systems for public input, proactive communication, and community oversight to ensure government accountability.

Public Services

Supports investing in "supportive housing and low-barrier services, as well as mental health services for unhoused people."

Supports investing in "supportive housing and low-barrier services, and mental health services for the unhoused. 

Believes there is a housing affordability crisis that is not being addressed with the urgency it requires.

Believes there is a housing affordability crisis that is not being addressed with enough urgency. 

- Supports investing in "supportive housing and low-barrier services, and mental health services for the unhoused. 
- Believes there is a housing affordability crisis that is not being addressed with enough urgency. 

Housing & Urban Development

Plans to improve traffic safety by allowing residents to apply for traffic calming measures, simplifying the approval process, and enabling renters to participate in traffic calming petitions.

- Plans to improve traffic safety by allowing residents to apply for traffic calming measures, simplifying the approval process, and enabling renters to participate in traffic calming petitions.

Public Safety

Believes the city has failed to reinvest in multiple corridors, such as Roswell Street, despite decades of studies and plans.

Believes the city has failed to reinvest in multiple corridors, such as Roswell Street, despite "decades of studies and plans."

Supports exploring smaller solutions to transportation issues after Cobb's 1%, 30-year transit tax was rejected by voters.

Supports slowing down traffic, adding crosswalks, and fixing dangerous intersections to enhance safety for all commuters.

Supports investing in improved road infrastructure, including more roundabouts, fewer driveways on arterials, and smart traffic lights to reduce bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Wants to direct funding towards improving roads including more roundabouts, fewer driveways on arterials, and smart traffic lights to reduce bumper-to-bumper traffic.

- Believes the city has failed to reinvest in multiple corridors, such as Roswell Street, despite "decades of studies and plans."
- Supports exploring smaller solutions to transportation issues after Cobb's 1%, 30-year transit tax was rejected by voters.
- Supports slowing down traffic, adding crosswalks, and fixing dangerous intersections to enhance safety for all commuters.
- Wants to direct funding towards improving roads including more roundabouts, fewer driveways on arterials, and smart traffic lights to reduce bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Sam Foster

Supports investing in mental health services for unhoused people.

Supports investing in mental health services for the unhoused. 

Believes there is a housing affordability crisis that needs urgent attention.

Plans to improve the traffic calming system to enhance street safety for all residents.

Believes the city is facing a housing affordability crisis that isn't being addressed urgently.

Sam Foster is from Georgia. He has a bachelor's degree in information technology from Kennesaw State University. He lives in southwest Marietta, near Marietta High School.

Sam is a systems engineer at a technology company. He moved to Marietta to finish his degree in Information Technology at Kennesaw State University. After graduating in 2022, he began working as an IT systems engineer.

Sam is a systems engineer at a technology company. He previously advocated for bike and pedestrian safety, housing affordability, and public transit improvements with the nonprofit A Better Cobb.

Sam's campaign for Marietta Mayor is his first entry into politics. He is 24 years old and is one of the youngest mayoral candidates in Marietta's history.

Supports investing in supportive housing, low-barrier services, and mental health services for unhoused people.

Believes there is a housing affordability crisis that is not being addressed with urgency.

Said, "As mayor, I would fight to fix our broken traffic calming system. Our streets should be safe for everyone, no matter where they live."

Buket Urgen

About the Mayor | Marietta, GA

Steve "Thunder" Tumlin Jr holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Georgia, a master's degree in business administration from the University of Denver, and a law degree from Georgia State University. He is married to his wife, Jean, with whom he has 2 children and 6 grandchildren. He is a founding director of Cobb Marietta Girl's Club and former president of both Cobb County YMCA and Cobb Marietta Youth Museum. He also served as chairman of the Board of Steward at First United Methodist Church of Marietta. 

Steve is a certified public accountant and attorney. He also owns a small business. 

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Steve is currently serves as the Mayor of Marietta. e was first elected in 2010 and is serving his fourth term. He also served as a representative in the Georgia House of Representatives and served as chairman of the Cobb Delegation for 4 years.

As of September 3, 2025, Steve "Thunder" Tumlin Jr did not have a website or any information online.

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Said, "This job is more than a title — it’s about managing growth responsibly and making sure Marietta continues to be a place where families can thrive."

- Said, "This job is more than a title — it’s about managing growth responsibly and making sure Marietta continues to be a place where families can thrive."

As mayor, led efforts to revitalize the Franklin Gateway corridor.

- As mayor, led efforts to revitalize the Franklin Gateway corridor.

Steve "Thunder" Tumlin Jr

Steve is currently the mayor of Marietta. He was first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2017 and 2021. He is serving his fourth term.

As of September 3, 2025, Steve Thunder Tumlin Jr did not have a website or any information online.

Steve Thunder Tumlin Jr

Supports increasing funding for local schools.

Supports prioritizing roads and public transportation to ensure sustainable city growth.

- 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. 