2024 Columbus District 10 City Council race: Meet the potential candidates

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Anker grew up in Albany, Georgia. He attended Darton College for two years before transferring to Georgia Southern, where he received a degree in marketing. He resides in Columbus with his wife and children.

John Anker is currently the owner of Ankerpak, a local packaging, manufacturing, and supply company.



John Anker ran for Mayor of Columbus in 2022 and did not win.

Candidate website

Said, "When we unite to converse, pray, and problem solve, we thrive collectively... Embracing our shared journey and opportunities, we pave a path towards a brighter, inclusive future."

Said, "Saving our trees in Columbus is crucial, yet our city's own government isn't always following through on its promises."

- Said, "When we unite to converse, pray, and problem solve, we thrive collectively... Embracing our shared journey and opportunities, we pave a path towards a brighter, inclusive future."
- Said, "Saving our trees in Columbus is crucial, yet our city's own government isn't always following through on its promises."

Public Services

Said, "Columbus, Georgia, bears the burden of being one of the highest taxed cities in the state... As a private citizen, I was part of a successful effort... to challenge a recent property tax millage rate increase, marking a historic victory for Columbus taxpayers."

The candidate's website says, "Despite Columbus' annual budget exceeding $334 million in 2023, transparency regarding the allocation of taxpayer dollars remains unclear... Audits are crucial to ensure taxpayer funds are utilized wisely, accurately, and efficiently."

The candidate's website says, "Columbus grapples with enduring challenges such as violent crime, unemployment, and poverty. Solutions cannot solely rely on law enforcement; fostering economic growth and opportunity must be paramount community objectives."

- Said, "Columbus, Georgia, bears the burden of being one of the highest taxed cities in the state... As a private citizen, I was part of a successful effort... to challenge a recent property tax millage rate increase, marking a historic victory for Columbus taxpayers."
- The candidate's website says, "Despite Columbus' annual budget exceeding $334 million in 2023, transparency regarding the allocation of taxpayer dollars remains unclear... Audits are crucial to ensure taxpayer funds are utilized wisely, accurately, and efficiently."
- The candidate's website says, "Columbus grapples with enduring challenges such as violent crime, unemployment, and poverty. Solutions cannot solely rely on law enforcement; fostering economic growth and opportunity must be paramount community objectives."

Economy

Said, "We need to start asking and expecting city government and the school system to be better stewards of our money."

- Said, "We need to start asking and expecting city government and the school system to be better stewards of our money."

Education

Said, "A more holistic strategy is required to reduce violence—a strategy that incorporates prevention and enforcement, but also addresses the root causes of violent crime — poverty, unemployment and lack of opportunity."

Supports the 2008 LOST in Columbus, GA for enhancing public safety by funding additional police, precincts, fire stations, a jail, and infrastructure, aiming to make Columbus one of Georgia's safest cities.

Believes the 2008 Local Option Sales Tax in Columbus, GA failed to enhance public safety like its supporters said it would.

Said, "Yes we need more police officers. We need to compensate them more, train them more, protect them more and appreciate them more... As we expect and demand more from them."

Said, "We need more police officers. We need to compensate them more, train them more, protect them more and appreciate them more."

- Said, "A more holistic strategy is required to reduce violence—a strategy that incorporates prevention and enforcement, but also addresses the root causes of violent crime — poverty, unemployment and lack of opportunity."
- Believes the 2008 Local Option Sales Tax in Columbus, GA failed to enhance public safety like its supporters said it would.
- Said, "We need more police officers. We need to compensate them more, train them more, protect them more and appreciate them more."

Public Safety

The candidate's website says, "Questionable real estate ventures and extravagant spending on new construction projects have diverted resources from maintaining essential infrastructure and neglected neighborhood facilities. ... Citizens rightly demand honesty and accountability from their government."

The candidate's website says, "Questionable real estate ventures and extravagant spending on new construction projects have diverted resources from maintaining essential infrastructure and neglected neighborhood facilities... Citizens rightly demand honesty and accountability from their government."

- The candidate's website says, "Questionable real estate ventures and extravagant spending on new construction projects have diverted resources from maintaining essential infrastructure and neglected neighborhood facilities... Citizens rightly demand honesty and accountability from their government."

Housing & Urban Development

Proposes the establishment of Columbus as the “West Coast of Georgia” creating a western entry point and gateway to commerce in Georgia.

Said, "I believe our local resources could be utilized in part to relieve the overflow in Atlanta by leveraging our airport and repurposing our mall into a modern warehouse and logistics facility that would manage timely sensitive airfreight."

- Proposes the establishment of Columbus as the “West Coast of Georgia” creating a western entry point and gateway to commerce in Georgia.
- Said, "I believe our local resources could be utilized in part to relieve the overflow in Atlanta by leveraging our airport and repurposing our mall into a modern warehouse and logistics facility that would manage timely sensitive airfreight."

Transportation & Infrastructure

LinkedIn

John Anker

Dr. Patrick Leonard is from Columbus, Georgia. He holds a doctorate from Concordia Theological Seminary and a PhD in Philosophy. Patrick serves as a Pastor of Faith Ministries. 

As of May 9, 2024, Patrick Leonard did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Ballotpedia

Patrick Leonard's campaign for Columbus City Council is his first entry into politics. 

Wants to address the primary causes of poverty by reengaging specific marginalized communities through environmental and educational changes.

Wants to add swimming pools, basketball courts, and boys & girls clubs, as he believes this will reduce crime and gun violence amongst youth in local communities.

- Wants to address the primary causes of poverty by reengaging specific marginalized communities through environmental and educational changes.
- Wants to add swimming pools, basketball courts, and boys & girls clubs, as he believes this will reduce crime and gun violence amongst youth in local communities.

Wants to decrease electric and gas bills and stop inflation.

Said, "I am seeking to stimulate the economy by putting more money in your pockets and providing tax relief for both the consumer and business owners."

Said, "I am going to address gun violence by attacking the disease of poverty and disenfranchisement."

- Supports small businesses.
- Wants to decrease electric and gas bills and stop inflation.
- Said, "I am seeking to stimulate the economy by putting more money in your pockets and providing tax relief for both the consumer and business owners."
- Said, "I am going to address gun violence by attacking the disease of poverty and disenfranchisement."

Plans focus on recreation programs for "the forgotten youth in Columbus...[including] Resource Centers, GED programs, and Vocational and Technical Training Programs..."

- Plans focus on recreation programs for "the forgotten youth in Columbus...[including] Resource Centers, GED programs, and Vocational and Technical Training Programs..."
- Supports educational equality.

Meet the candidates: Upcoming election for Columbus City Council at-large seat

Plans to focus on preventing animal cruelty, including neglected and abused pets through allocating funds to educate community on ways to limit such problems, and increasing personnel in animal shelters.

- Plans to focus on preventing animal cruelty, including neglected and abused pets through allocating funds to educate community on ways to limit such problems, and increasing personnel in animal shelters.

Plans to establish workforce housing for nurses, teachers, and first responders.

Plans to focus on developing affordable housing, working with landlords to negotiate rent reduction for those struggling to pay bills and monthly rent.

Said he is focused on, “Rebuilding a lot of these communities that are disenfranchised...so that a lot of these individuals can become willing participants in society and no longer sitting on the sideline."

- Plans to establish workforce housing for nurses, teachers, and first responders.
- Plans to focus on developing affordable housing, working with landlords to negotiate rent reduction for those struggling to pay bills and monthly rent.
- Said he is focused on, “Rebuilding a lot of these communities that are disenfranchised...so that a lot of these individuals can become willing participants in society and no longer sitting on the sideline."

As of April 23, 2024, Patrick Leonard did not have a website or any information online.

Patrick Leonard

Marsh holds an Undergraduate Degree in Human Resources, a Graduate Degree in Educational Leadership, and a Doctorate in Education, all from Trident University International. He resides in Columbus, GA with his wife and is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He serves as president of the Fountain City Mardi Gras Association and is on the Chair of the Alpha Onward & Upward Foundation Scholarship. 

Marsh is a federal employee serving as a budget analyst on Fort Moore and owns Fountain City Parade Float Rentals. Previously, he was an Air Traffic Controller in the U.S. Army and later worked as a Transition Assistance Program Career Counselor. 

Rocky R Marsh's campaign for County Commissioner in Muscogee County is his first entry into politics.

Instagram

Supports environmental activities, such as community clean-ups and free paper shredding events.

- Supports environmental activities, such as community clean-ups and free paper shredding events.

Meet Dr. Rocky Marsh one of the candidates for Columbus City Council District 10 seat

Said legislative goals are "wide economic development, talent retention, and sustained municipal support."

- Supports growing small businesses. 
- Said legislative goals are "wide economic development, talent retention, and sustained municipal support."

Provides scholarship opportunities to students as the President of the Fountain City Mardi Gras Association. 

- Supports educators.
- Provides scholarship opportunities to students as the President of the Fountain City Mardi Gras Association. 

- Opposes gun control.
- Promotes motorcycle safety.

As of April 23, 2024, Rocky R Marsh’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Twitter

Rocky R Marsh

Travis earned his bachelor's degree in business management from Albany State University and his master's degree in human resource management from Troy University. He serves on the workforce investment and development authority board with the Chamber of Commerce. Chambers lives in Columbus with his family.

Travis is the CEO and Founder of ERA Elite Ventures Realty. He previously worked as an associate broker for Coldwell Banker, the director of career resources at Synovus, and the human resources manager at TSYS.

Travis Chambers ran for City Council of Columbus in 2010 and the Georgia House seat representing District 137 in 2012, but did not win either race. 

Advocates for community input in the decision-making process.

- Advocates for community input in the decision-making process.

Travis Chambers announces his candidacy for City Council for District 10 seat

Plans to support simplifying startup processes and entrepreneurship through initiatives such as StartUP Columbus/BizPitch.

Supports efforts to increase employment and secure more competitive compensation for all individuals.

- Plans to support simplifying startup processes and entrepreneurship through initiatives such as StartUP Columbus/BizPitch.
- Supports efforts to increase employment and secure more competitive compensation for all individuals.

As of April 23, 2024, Travis Chambers did not have a website or any information online.

Plans to improve community safety through community policing and streamlining the justice process.

- Plans to improve community safety through community policing and streamlining the justice process.

Supports efforts to provide affordable housing for residents.

- Supports efforts to provide affordable housing for residents.

Travis Chambers

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property and sales taxes, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms in staggered years. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.

Muscogee County Commissioner

Election results

Runoff election

Candidates (4)