Joan Garner will be the first openly gay member of the Fulton County Commission, after the eighth time didn’t prove to be the charm for Keisha Waites, who faced off with Garner in Tuesday’s Democratic primary runoff for Fulton County District 6.
Keisha Waites and Joan Garner are vying to be the first openly gay Fulton County Commissioner as they face each other in a runoff on Aug. 10.
During the July 20 Democratic primary for the District 6 seat, Waites placed first in a field of four with 3,576 votes, or 41.46 percent, with Garner in second with 3,408 votes, or 39.14 percent, according to official Fulton County Elections results.
Only 168 votes separated Waites and Garner, who advance to the runoff because neither received more than 50 percent of the vote. David Holder received 837 votes, or 9.7 percent. Sally Smith finished last with 807 votes, or 9.55 percent.
Two lesbian candidates are vying for the Fulton County Commission District 6 seat, seeking to be the first openly gay person to serve on the Fulton County Commission.
Joan Garner and Keisha Waites, both gay, are seeking the post that has been held for 23 years by Nancy Boxill, who decided to not seek reelection. Also seeking the post are Sally Smith, 56, and David Holder, 31.
These candidates face off against each other in the July 20 Democratic primary. The winner of the primary will be unopposed in the Nov. 2 election, therefore winning the seat.
Fulton County Commission Chair John Eaves faces a re-election challenge from Mary Norwood, who was an outspoken gay marriage supporter when she ran last year for Atlanta mayor.
Eaves said today he welcomes Norwood’s entry in the race and he plans to defend his record on LGBT issues and other county issues as he seeks another term.
Eaves, a Democrat, said he has not taken a public stance on gay marriage and declined to do so today in an interview with the Georgia Voice.