Two openly gay candidates are among the three vying for incumbent Natalyn Archibong's District 5 seat, a position she has held since first elected in 2001. A fourth candidate, Jon Jones, who is also gay, announced he was dropping out of the race this week and is now backing Archibong. Other candidates are Matt Rinker and Christian Enterkin, who are openly gay; and John Paul Michalik. All are first-time candidates.
Running on the platform of that he touts as direct democracy, Jon Jones said he is vying for the Atlanta City Council District 5 seat as a way to give constituents a direct role in what legislation is passed that directly impacts their lives.
Jones would also be the first openly gay black man elected to the city council. Alex Wan, seeking his second term as the District 6 representative, was the first openly gay man elected to the council as well as the first Asian American. Lesbians have served on the council, including Cathy Woolard, who was president of the council, and Anne Fauver, who also represented District 6.