Dontaye Carter announces candidacy for Sandy Springs mayor ...

Dontaye Carter formally announces candidacy for Mayor of Sandy ...

Dontaye Carter holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. He lives in Sandy Springs with his wife, Dr. Karen Creed, and their daughter. 

Dontaye owns Carter Media Group LLC, a public relations firm. Before launching the company in 2017, he worked as a TV reporter and producer in Georgia and Oklahoma, later joining Atlanta’s CBS46 and 11Alive, and served as Senior Public Affairs Officer for the Fulton County Superior Court.”

Dontaye previously ran for mayor of Sandy Springs in 2021 but did not win.

Supports capping property taxes to protect homeowners from rising costs.

Supports incentivizing corporations to lower costs and reinvest in the local community.

Supports incentives for corporations to cut costs and reinvest locally.

Supports small businesses and wants to expand minority ownership and opportunities.

Wants to ensure affordable and equitable housing for all Sandy Springs residents.

Believes in balancing the city’s budget by making "smart, responsible investments."

Believes in balancing the city’s budget through smart and responsible investments. 

- Supports capping property taxes to protect homeowners from rising costs.
- Supports incentives for corporations to cut costs and reinvest locally.
- Supports small businesses and wants to expand minority ownership and opportunities.
- Wants to ensure affordable and equitable housing for all Sandy Springs residents.
- Believes in balancing the city’s budget through smart and responsible investments. 

Economy

Plans to build community centers that unite and empower residents.

Wants to build community centers that unite and empower residents.

Wants to increase "ethics,, transparency, and inclusivity" in city government.

Wants to strengthen schools to better prepare children for the future.

Wants to "build upon our community’s character and our quality of life."

- Wants to build community centers that unite and empower residents.
- Wants to increase "ethics,, transparency, and inclusivity" in city government.
- Wants to strengthen schools to better prepare children for the future.
- Wants to "build upon our community’s character and our quality of life."

Public Services

Supports stopping rent hikes and price gouging to protect renters.

- Supports stopping rent hikes and price gouging to protect renters.

Housing & Urban Development

Believes in maintaining public safety, increasing public trust, and improving community relations with police.

- Believes in maintaining public safety, increasing public trust, and improving community relations with police.

Public Safety

Supports providing "much-needed infrastructure to ease the commute for working families."

Supports providing infrastructure that will ease commutes for working families. 

Plans to implement traffic-calming and expand alternative transportation options.

- Supports providing infrastructure that will ease commutes for working families. 
- Plans to implement traffic-calming and expand alternative transportation options.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports "smart growth," which involves preventing "predatory development" while fostering sustainable progress.

Supports smart growth by curbing "predatory development" and promoting sustainable progress.

- Supports smart growth by curbing "predatory development" and promoting sustainable progress.

Energy & the Environment

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Dontaye Carter

Dontaye Carter earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. He lives in Sandy Springs with his wife, Dr. Karen Creed, and their six-year-old daughter, Kyleigh.

Dontaye is the owner of Carter Media Group LLC, a public relations firm focused on driving change in marginalized communities. He previously worked as a television reporter and producer at WCTV in Valdosta, GA, and as a reporter at KOKI FOX23 in Tulsa, OK, before joining Atlanta's WGCL-TV CBS46 and WXIA-TV 11 Alive. He also served as the Senior Public Affairs Officer for the Superior Court of Fulton County for a year before starting his company in 2017. 

Supports capping property taxes to keep homeowners secure amid rising costs.

As of September 7, 2025, Dontaye Carter did not have a website or any information online.

Believes in "smart growth" to prevent "predatory development" and promote sustainable progress.

Buket Urgen

Andy Bauman enters Sandy Springs mayoral race - Rough Draft ...

Andy Bauman holds a degree from Emory University. He lives in Atlanta. He is married to his wife, Debbie. with whom they have two children. Him and his family are active members of Temple Sinai.

Andy is an attorney and real estate investor. He was a partner at the Sandy Springs law firm Altman, Kritzer & Levice and served as a principal and general counsel for a local real estate firm. He also co-founded the Sandy Springs Farmers Market.

Andy served as a City Council member representing District 6. He was first elected in 2013 and served for three terms. 

Aims to deliver quality services while maintaining low taxes.

Promises to "improve customer service at City Hall so residents get real value for their tax dollars."

Plans to "rebalance investments to include underserved neighborhoods, especially the north end."

- Aims to deliver quality services while maintaining low taxes.
- Promises to "improve customer service at City Hall so residents get real value for their tax dollars."
- Plans to "rebalance investments to include underserved neighborhoods, especially the north end."

Guarantees access to parks, trails, and shaded spaces for all residents.

Supports adopting the standard that every family should live within a 10-minute walk of a park or trail.

Supports adopting a standard that every family should live within a 10-minute walk of a park or trail.

Supports upgrading parks and recreation centers to serve kids, seniors, and families.

Supports improving parks and recreation centers to serve kids, seniors, and families.

Believes in "investing in meaningful trails and greenways, not vanity plazas."

Supports enacting term limits for the mayor’s office to prevent entrenched leadership.

Supports fostering an inclusive decision-making process that invites community voices.

Wants to establish an inclusive decision-making process involving the community. 

- Guarantees access to parks, trails, and shaded spaces for all residents.
- Supports adopting a standard that every family should live within a 10-minute walk of a park or trail.
- Supports improving parks and recreation centers to serve kids, seniors, and families.
- Believes in "investing in meaningful trails and greenways, not vanity plazas."
- Supports enacting term limits for the mayor’s office to prevent entrenched leadership.
- Wants to establish an inclusive decision-making process involving the community. 

Supports expanding affordable housing options for first responders, teachers, and healthcare workers.

Supports increasing home ownership opportunities for families at every stage of life.

Supports creating downsizing housing options for longtime residents.

Wants to bring downsizing housing options for longtime residents.

Supports redevelopment that strengthens schools and protects neighborhoods.

- Supports expanding affordable housing options for first responders, teachers, and healthcare workers.
- Supports increasing home ownership opportunities for families at every stage of life.
- Wants to bring downsizing housing options for longtime residents.
- Supports redevelopment that strengthens schools and protects neighborhoods.

As a city planner, helped launch a first responder housing program that provides affordable housing for public safety personnel.

Supports requiring real-time crime data updates, annual safety reports, and regular public town halls.

Supports pushing for reforms at the Fulton County courthouse to reduce delays and stop "catch-and-release" practices.

Supports expanding the use of technology, such as advanced analytics, AI tools, and mobile reporting, to improve crime prevention and response times.

Wants to enhance community-focused problem-solving teams and broaden crisis intervention and cultural competency training.

- As a city planner, helped launch a first responder housing program that provides affordable housing for public safety personnel.
- Supports requiring real-time crime data updates, annual safety reports, and regular public town halls.
- Supports pushing for reforms at the Fulton County courthouse to reduce delays and stop "catch-and-release" practices.
- Supports expanding the use of technology, such as advanced analytics, AI tools, and mobile reporting, to improve crime prevention and response times.
- Wants to enhance community-focused problem-solving teams and broaden crisis intervention and cultural competency training.

Supports expanding safe walking and biking networks that connect neighborhoods, schools, and parks.

Plans to prioritize road and intersection projects that reduce congestion and improve daily commutes.

Supports investing in infrastructure that improves both mobility and safety.

Supports reducing traffic and expanding options for walking, biking, and public transit.

Wants to reduce traffic and expand options for walking, biking, and public transit.

- Supports expanding safe walking and biking networks that connect neighborhoods, schools, and parks.
- Plans to prioritize road and intersection projects that reduce congestion and improve daily commutes.
- Supports investing in infrastructure that improves both mobility and safety.
- Wants to reduce traffic and expand options for walking, biking, and public transit.

Supports preserving and expanding the tree canopy in Sandy Springs through stronger protections and enforcement.

- Supports preserving and expanding the tree canopy in Sandy Springs through stronger protections and enforcement.

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Andy Bauman

Andy Bauman is a father, husband, attorney, real estate investor, and dedicated public servant. He and his wife, Dr. Debbie Bauman — both Emory University dual-degree graduates — have lived in metro Atlanta for forty years and in Sandy Springs since 1999. They raised two children here and they are active members of Temple Sinai.

Andy is an attorney and real estate investor. He was a partner at the Sandy Springs law firm Altman, Kritzer & Levick before transitioning to real estate, where he served as a principal and general counsel for a local firm. He also co-founded the Sandy Springs Farmers Market.

Jody Reichel is from Greensboro, North Carolina. She has a degree in economics and business from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. She lives in Mt. Vernon Woods with her husband, Ken, with whom she has four children.

Sandy Springs Councilwoman Jody Reichel announces run for mayor

Jody is a real estate investor and runs a real estate investment business that focuses on revitalizing rental properties. She previously worked in the financial sector at Fleet Finance and Private Business, Inc.

Jody is currently a member of the Sandy Springs City Council, representing District 4. She was first elected in 2017 and is currently serving her second term.

Plans to boost local businesses and strengthen community connections.

Wants to boost local businesses and strengthen community connections.

- Wants to boost local businesses and strengthen community connections.

Supports field lights for Mt. Vernon and Holy Innocents' schools.

Wants to secure  field lights for Mt. Vernon and Holy Innocents' schools.

Supports the creation of a dedicated Sandy Springs school district.

Plans to push for a "dedicated Sandy Springs school district, one that puts our community first and keeps decisions in local hands."

- Wants to secure  field lights for Mt. Vernon and Holy Innocents' schools.
- Plans to push for a "dedicated Sandy Springs school district, one that puts our community first and keeps decisions in local hands."

Supports single-family, owner-occupied housing.

Wants to work with financially secure developers to make Sandy Springs more vibrant, walkable, and livable.

Plans to support public-private partnerships to improve neglected properties while safeguarding home values.

Plans to improve the permitting process to make it more efficient and user-friendly.

- Supports single-family, owner-occupied housing.
- Wants to work with financially secure developers to make Sandy Springs more vibrant, walkable, and livable.
- Plans to support public-private partnerships to improve neglected properties while safeguarding home values.
- Plans to improve the permitting process to make it more efficient and user-friendly.

Supports fully funding the Sandy Springs Police Department and providing necessary resources and training for officers.

- Supports fully funding the Sandy Springs Police Department and providing necessary resources and training for officers.

Wants to invest in infrastructure and expand parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities.

- Wants to invest in infrastructure and expand parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities.

Believes in creating a "walkable vibrant community" by blending residential, retail, dining, and green spaces.

Wants to create  a "walkable vibrant community" by blending residential, retail, dining, and green spaces.

- Wants to create  a "walkable vibrant community" by blending residential, retail, dining, and green spaces.

Jody Reichel

Jody is from Greensboro, North Carolina. She has a degree in economics and business from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. She lives in Mt. Vernon Woods with her husband, Ken, and their two puppies. They share four adult children.

Jody is a real estate investor and city council member. She runs a real estate investment business that focuses on revitalizing rental properties. Before starting her business, she worked in the financial sector at Fleet Finance and Private Business, Inc. She was elected to the Sandy Springs City Council in 2017.

As of September 7, 2025, Jody Reichel did not have a website or any information online.

Linkedin

Rusty Paul holds a bachelor's degree in English and Journalism from Samford University and a degree in political science from Georgia State University. 

Rusty is the president of iSquared Communications, Inc and director of government affairs and public policy practice at Arnall Golden Gregory LLP. He previously worked as an assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. 

Mayor Rusty Paul | City of Sandy Springs

Rusty Paul - ARC

Rusty is currently serving his third term as mayor of Sandy Springs, where he was first elected in 2013. Before becoming mayor, he served one term on the founding Sandy Springs City Council from 2005 to 2006. He is a also a former Georgia State Senator and also served on the Stone Mountain City Council. He was elected chairman of the Georgia Republican Party in 1995 and served on the Republican National Committee.

As mayor, led Sandy Springs in a lawsuit against Atlanta over water rates, advocating for fair pricing and reliable service for residents.

- As mayor, led Sandy Springs in a lawsuit against Atlanta over water rates, advocating for fair pricing and reliable service for residents.

Supports investing in parks, greenspaces, and a connected trail network to promote healthy living and community engagement.

Supports parent-led charter schools, believing families should shape curriculum and quality, and opposes education bureaucracy closing such schools.

Supports parent-led charter schools, believing families should shape curriculum and quality, and opposes "education bureaucracy" closing such schools.

- Supports investing in parks, greenspaces, and a connected trail network to promote healthy living and community engagement.
- Supports parent-led charter schools, believing families should shape curriculum and quality, and opposes "education bureaucracy" closing such schools.

Believes affordable housing for working-class families is a major concern, as public servants like police, firemen, and teachers commute long distances due to high local housing costs.

Wants to simplify the city’s permitting process.

- Believes affordable housing for working-class families is a major concern, as public servants like police, firemen, and teachers commute long distances due to high local housing costs.
- Wants to simplify the city’s permitting process.

Supports increasing police visibility and investing in the latest technology and emergency response systems.

- Supports increasing police visibility and investing in the latest technology and emergency response systems.

Supports the development of parks, greenways, and a connected trail network to promote healthy living and community engagement.

- Supports the development of parks, greenways, and a connected trail network to promote healthy living and community engagement.

Supports investing in parks, greenways, and trails to promote outdoor activity and sustainability.

- Supports investing in parks, greenways, and trails to promote outdoor activity and sustainability.

Rusty Paul

Rusty is the mayor of Sandy Springs. He was first elected in 2013 and previously served on the city council from 2005 to 2009. Before taking office, he spent more than 40 years in public policy and administration, including roles at the federal, state, and local levels. He was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate as Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations in the first Bush Administration under Secretary Jack Kemp. He also served as acting Assistant Secretary of Community Planning and Development and oversaw disaster response efforts for Hurricane Hugo and the 1989 San Francisco earthquake. Rusty is a former Georgia State Senator and served on the Stone Mountain City Council. He was elected chairman of the Georgia Republican Party in 1995 and served on the Republican National Committee.

Rusty is currently serving his third term as mayor of Sandy Springs. He was first elected in 2013. Before becoming mayor, he served one term on the founding Sandy Springs City Council from 2005 to 2006. He is a former Georgia State Senator and also served on the Stone Mountain City Council. 

Believes affordable housing for working-class families is a major concern, as public servants like police, firemen, teachers, and other city workers are forced to commute for hours due to high housing costs.

- 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. 