Amir Farokhi, a two-term council member representing District 2 in Atlanta, has announced his resignation effective this July.
Farokhi, who has held his position since 2017, will step down to take on the role of Head of School at The Galloway School for the upcoming 2025–2026 academic year.
His departure marks a significant moment in Atlanta’s municipal politics, as he leaves behind a legacy of impactful policies, including the establishment of one of the largest guaranteed income programs, a public safety housing initiative, and an arts and culture fund.
In an announcement regarding his resignation, Farokhi expressed mixed emotions, saying, “Today, I was named Head of School at The Galloway School.
It’s a humbling moment.
Yet, it’s also bittersweet because it means that I will not run for re-election this November.”
Following Farokhi’s resignation, an interim council member will be appointed within 30 days of the vacancy, in accordance with the Atlanta City Charter.
The new appointee will be a resident of District 2, which encompasses neighborhoods such as Candler Park, Downtown, Inman Park, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and Poncey-Highland, and must be at least 18 years old.
The appointment process includes the advertisement of the vacancy, collection of applications, and a review by the Committee Council, followed by a vote among the remaining council members to select a new interim official to serve until January 2026.
In the aftermath of the interim appointment, a permanent successor will be determined through a vote during the November 2025 election, with qualifying races scheduled for August.
Several candidates have already emerged in the race for the District 2 seat.
Alex Bevel Jones, a former small business owner and Industry Engagement Manager at Tech, positions himself as a devoted public servant motivated by a strong family background in education and civil rights.
His campaign focuses on economic development, education, community investment, and smart, sustainable growth.
Courtney Smith, a graduate of Tech, brings extensive civic service experience, having previously served as the chair of the Neighborhood Planning Unit-E (NPU-E) and president of the Midtown Neighbors’ Association.
She aims to modernize alcohol policies, achieve a balance in permitting for both for-profit and nonprofit events, and provide transparency regarding infrastructure project audits related to Renew Atlanta and Moving Atlanta Forward.
Recent graduate Jacob Chambers adopts an engineering-focused approach in his campaign, emphasizing the need for solutions rather than rhetoric.
His platform prioritizes affordable housing, safe transportation options, and livable neighborhoods.
Kelsea Bond, a community organizer, union member, and former education policy worker, advocates for a departure from the status quo.
Their campaign emphasizes affordable housing, green infrastructure, and a people-over-profits philosophy, focusing on workers’ rights, homelessness, public health, and safety.
As these candidates continue to launch their campaigns and engage in fundraising efforts, Atlanta residents find themselves at a pivotal moment in municipal politics leading up to the elections.
Farokhi’s resignation is part of a larger trend, with three district representatives stepping down from their roles in Atlanta’s City Hall this year, following Marci Collier Overstreet’s departure from District 11 and Howard Shook’s retirement from District 7.
In total, residents will have the opportunity to vote on 16 positions within City Hall, which includes the council president, 12 district representatives, and three members-at-large.
Among these seats, three district representative spots and the council president position will be without an incumbent, as current council president Doug Shipman has also announced his intention not to seek re-election.
Election day is set for November 4, 2025, marking a significant future for Atlanta’s governance.
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