James Shepherd is from Newnan, Georgia. He has a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Georgia and a Juris Doctor degree from Columbia Law School. He lives with his wife, Shannon, and their child in Historic Downtown. He attends Newnan First Methodist.

James is a corporate attorney. He previously worked as a management consultant for several Fortune 500 companies. He also founded his own software company that helped farmers get their products to market. 

Shepherd promoting change through housing | News | times-herald ...

James previously ran for the Newnan City Council in 2023 but did not win.

Supports auditing city spending to identify wasteful programs.

Supports cutting unnecessary expenses and reinvesting in services that matter to residents.

Supports "cutting unnecessary expenses and reinvesting in services that matter to residents."

Supports providing transparency and accountability in government spending.

Supports "transparency and accountability" in government spending.

Promises to make decisions based on whether it makes the city more affordable for citizens.

- Supports auditing city spending to identify wasteful programs.
- Supports "cutting unnecessary expenses and reinvesting in services that matter to residents."
- Supports "transparency and accountability" in government spending.
- Promises to make decisions based on whether it makes the city more affordable for citizens.

Economy

As of October 9, 2025, James Shepherd’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Supports lowering taxes for homeowners by making developers pay the full cost of new growth.

Supports cutting zoning regulations so homeowners "have the freedom to build on [their] own property."

Supports ending developer subsidies by implementing impact fees.

Supports measures to discourage empty strip malls and abandoned buildings.

Supports measures to "discourage empty strip malls and abandoned buildings."

Supports overhauling the city zoning ordinance to limit large development projects and encourage affordable housing.

Supports building more smaller-footprint houses and making it easier to build in-law suites or cottages on homeowners' property.

- Supports lowering taxes for homeowners by making developers pay the full cost of new growth.
- Supports cutting zoning regulations so homeowners "have the freedom to build on [their] own property."
- Supports ending developer subsidies by implementing impact fees.
- Supports measures to "discourage empty strip malls and abandoned buildings."
- Supports overhauling the city zoning ordinance to limit large development projects and encourage affordable housing.
- Supports building more smaller-footprint houses and making it easier to build in-law suites or cottages on homeowners' property.

Housing & Urban Development

Believes public safety extends beyond emergency services, advocating for zoning code changes to create safer streets and play areas for children, reducing accidents and allowing first responders to focus on "real emergencies."

Advocates for zoning code changes to create safer streets and play areas for children, reducing accidents and allowing first responders to focus on "real emergencies."

Supports developing housing benefits for first responders.

- Advocates for zoning code changes to create safer streets and play areas for children, reducing accidents and allowing first responders to focus on "real emergencies."
- Supports developing housing benefits for first responders.

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Facebook

Instagram

James Shepherd

- Supports auditing city spending to identify wasteful programs.
- Supports "cutting unnecessary expenses and reinvesting in services that matter to residents."
- Supports "transparency and accountability" in government spending.

Plans to audit city spending to identify "wasteful programs."

Promises to provide "real transparency and accountability" in public services.

Supports auditing city spending to identify "wasteful programs."

Supports providing transparency and accountability in housing and urban development.

Plans to change zoning codes to encourage safer streets and require developers to build necessary infrastructure.

James is a corporate attorney at an undisclosed law firm. He previously worked as a management consultant for several Fortune 500 companies, where he helped them grow their revenues by improving their operations. He also founded his own software company that helped farmers get their products to market. 

James's campaign for Newnan Mayor is his first entry into politics. He previously ran for Newnan City Council in 2023 but did not win.

As of October 9, 2025, James Shepherd did not have a website or any information online.

Buket Urgen

Danny Beck grew up in Newnan, Georgia. He is married to Ashley and father and has four children. The Becks are a Christian family, active in faith, community, and public service.

Danny Beck Podcast: Ep. 9: Scott Berta | Podcasts | times-herald.com

Danny is a real estate investor. He previously owned Beck Facility Services, a cleaning business.

Danny's campaign for Newnan Mayor is his first entry into politics.

Wants to create a city that works for everyone, including business owners, retirees, and young couples.

- Wants to create a city that works for everyone, including business owners, retirees, and young couples.

Plans to host town halls, share clear decision updates, and create fair processes to ensure every resident feels heard and valued.

Wants to engage youth in shaping the future of Newnan through community partnerships.

- Plans to host town halls, share clear decision updates, and create fair processes to ensure every resident feels heard and valued.
- Wants to engage youth in shaping the future of Newnan through community partnerships.

Supports thoughtful planning and community input in development to enhance Newnan's infrastructure and charm.

Supports promoting "the missing middle" using transparent forums to shape decisions that fit Newnan's identity.

- Supports thoughtful planning and community input in development to enhance Newnan's infrastructure and charm.
- Supports promoting "the missing middle" using transparent forums to shape decisions that fit Newnan's identity.

As of October 9, 2025, Danny Beck’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Danny Beck

Danny Beck grew up in Newnan, Georgia, a town that shaped his values and his vision. As a husband to Ashley and father to four children—Austin, Chase, Peyton, and Lily—Danny understands the stakes of local leadership on a deeply personal level. Their family is rooted in downtown Newnan, where they support local schools, participate in youth sports leagues, and spend time cycling, traveling, and enjoying live music together. The Becks are a Christian family, active in faith, community, and public service.

As of October 9, 2025, Danny Beck did not have a website or any information online.

Supports guiding development with thoughtful planning and community input to enhance Newnan's infrastructure and charm.

Staff Directory • Keith Brady

Keith Brady is from Atlanta, Georgia. He attended Therrell High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Georgia. He lives with his wife, Katie, and their two children in Newnan. He is a member of Central Baptist Church.

Keith is a real estate broker and co-owner of Josey Young & Brady Realty. He spent the early part of his career in his family's retail business in downtown Newnan.

Keith is currently the mayor of Newnan. He was first elected in 1994 and has served continuously since then.

As mayor, approved a plan to sell property to local developers for a downtown hotel, retail space, office space, restaurants, a food hall, and loft apartments.

- As mayor, approved a plan to sell property to local developers for a downtown hotel, retail space, office space, restaurants, a food hall, and loft apartments.

Supports creating a 28-acre arboretum in partnership with Plant Newnan to enhance the city's urban tree canopy.

- Supports creating a 28-acre arboretum in partnership with Plant Newnan to enhance the city's urban tree canopy.

As mayor, supported the creation of the Downtown Development Authority to help vitalize downtown Newnan.

- As mayor, supported the creation of the Downtown Development Authority to help vitalize downtown Newnan.

Said, "My commitment to Public Safety remains my first priority."

- Said, "My commitment to Public Safety remains my first priority."

As of October 9, 2025, Keith Brady’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Keith Brady

Keith is a real estate broker and co-owner of Josey Young & Brady Realty. He spent the early part of his career in his family 

s retail business in downtown Newnan before transitioning to real estate in 1993.

Supports the development of 57 East Broad Street, Plant Newnan, and a planned arboretum.

Supports creating a 28-acre arboretum in partnership with Plant Newnan to restore the urban tree canopy.

- 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. 