Blackshear will have a contested mayor’s race, a contested and then uncontested race in district four and there will be at least two new faces on the city council after the November 4 municipal election.
Incumbent Mayor Keith Brooks drew challenges
and Marie S. Rainge.
Brooks, who is retired from the Federal Aviation Administration, is currently completing his first full-term as mayor. He had previously served as councilman for district one for two terms before being elected to the city’s top position in 2021.
Harris is a local business owner.
“I am honored to announce my candidacy for Mayor of Blackshear. As a proud resident of this remarkable town, I have spent years dedicating myself to serving our community – through public service, community engagement and business development.”
Harris said living and working here has given her a deep understanding of both the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead for Blackshear.
“I believe in the values that make Blackshear strong and I am committed to upholding those values while working to improve our city for every resident. My vision for Blackshear is one of growth, unity and progress. Together, we can strengthen our community, support our local businesses, and create opportunities for future generations. I am ready to get to work for the people of Blackshear and I look forward to the journey ahead.”
Rainge is the owner and operator of Rainge Memorial Chapel Funeral Home on Ware Street and is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church.
The mayor’s seat will be on all city ballots in the election.
It appeared there would be a contested race for district four on the city council, but that is no longer the case.
Charles Broady Sr. and Dexter Britton both qualified for the seat, but Britton withdrew from the race last Friday.
Britton, an independent contractor, unsuccessfully ran for the district four seat in the 2021 election. He did not give a reason for withdrawing from the race.
Broady Sr. will return to the council in January. He formerly represented district four on the council, before stepping down 2021 in an unsuccessful run against Brooks for mayor. Broady, 68, is a minister and is medically retired after serving in the U.S. Army.
The incumbent in district four, Theodore Mackey, decided against running for re-election after serving a single term.
The Rev. Mitch Hall was the lone qualifier for the district three council seat.
Hall, a former school board member and pastor of Mershon Baptist Church, will begin serving on the city council in January, succeeding current councilman Chuck Ward. Ward announced earlier this month he would not seek re-election after a single term on the council.
Incumbent Dr. Corey Lesseig will run unopposed for the district five seat and will begin serving another term in January.
Blackshear currently has 2,229 registered voters who are eligible to cast ballots in the mayor’s race.
Deadline to register to vote will be Monday, October 6.
Early voting will be held Tuesday, October 14-Friday, October 31. Saturday voting will be held October 18 and 25. There will be no early voting October 13 (Columbus Day) and November 3. Polls will be open election day from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
