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Brenda attended Berrien High School. She is a voting member of the Southern Georgia Regional Commission’s Valdosta-Lowndes Metropolitan Planning Organization (VLMPO) Policy Committee. She is widowed.

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Brenda previously worked as a city clerk in Ray City.

Ray City | Georgia Municipal Association

Brenda is currently the Mayor of Ray City.

As of September 3, 2025, Brenda Exum did not have a website or any information online.

Economy

Lanier County News - Mayor Brenda Exum Runs for Re-Election: Experience, Visibility, and Controversy*

Is well-known and highly visible in Ray City, often attending local functions and taking part in community initiatives.

Supports and attends local functions and community initiatives.

Opposed a local resident’s volunteer effort to humanely control the city’s stray-cat population.

Opposed efforts to control the city’s stray-cat population.

As mayor, pushed to spend $24,000 for remodeling the Ray City Hall, while there was a bid for $10,000 for the same work.

As mayor, supported the allocation of $24,000 to remodel the Ray City Hall.

- Supports and attends local functions and community initiatives.
- Opposed efforts to control the city’s stray-cat population.
- As mayor, supported the allocation of $24,000 to remodel the Ray City Hall.

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Lanier County News - Reflections about Ray City Mayor Brenda Exum’s Leadership in May

As mayor, directed the enforcement of local ordinances concerning sidewalk obstructions and improper vehicle placement.

- As mayor, directed the enforcement of local ordinances concerning sidewalk obstructions and improper vehicle placement.

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Brenda Exum

Brenda Exum is currently the Mayor of Ray City.

James Auchincloss

Buket Urgen

Wesley Bennefield Brings Lifetime of Leadership and Service to Ray City Mayoral Race

Wesley D. Bennefield lives with his wife, Catherine, in Ray City. They have three daughters and four grandchildren.

Wesley is retired after a 35 year career in retail management for K-Mart, Walmart, and Dollar General. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force who served in Vietnam.

Ray City's only credit union closes its doors

Wesley is currently a Ray City Council Member. He was elected in 2021 and previously served from 2012 to 2015. 

Plans to prioritize fiscal responsibility.

- Plans to prioritize fiscal responsibility.

As of September 3, 2025, Wesley D Bennefield did not have a website or any information online.

Wesley D Bennefield

Wesley D. Bennefield is currently a Ray City Council Member. He was elected in 2021 and is serving his first term.

- 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. 