Councilor Mimi Woodson decides whether to seek a 6th term

Councilor Evelyn “Mimi” Woodson, a retired U.S. Army veteran who has represented District 7 for 24 years, is running for re-election.

Woodson, a customer service supervisor at TSYS, will make the official announcement Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the community room at the City Services Center, 3111 Citizens Way. She will be seeking a sixth term in office.

“After prayer and much conversation with family and friends, Mimi Woodson will begin the embarkment of conversations with citizens and business owners throughout the district,” reads a news release issued by her campaign. “District 7 is a very diverse district that encompasses longtime residents, new residents, businesses, restaurants, entertainment centers and much more. District 7 is glowing with new development and exciting redevelopment opportunities on the horizon.”

In 1994, Woodson was elected to the District 7 seat as the city’s first Hispanic councilor. She is now the longest serving Hispanic elected representative in the state.

Also intending to run for the District 7 council seat are Jeremy Hobbs, director of Colgay Pride and LGBT Liaison for Mayor Teresa Tomlinson’s office, and Garrett Lawrence, a local entrepreneur who owns Maltitude and Nonic Bar and Kitchen on Broadway.

Both men have filed Declaration of Intent paperwork with the Muscogee County Elections and Registration Office.

Waleisah Wilson, another candidate, had filed a DOI, but pulled out of the race in January. Wilson, who had been arrested and charged with disorderly conduct on Nov. 7, said she withdrew from the race because she had moved outside of the district due to a domestic violence situation.

The Declaration of Intent allows potential candidates to begin raising money, but they can’t officially run for office until they qualify in March. The qualifying period for the May 22, 2018, city election is March 5-9, 2018.

“It’s been a great privilege and high honor to serve District 7,” said Woodson in the news release announcing her candidacy. “I look forward to the coming election and the residents allowing me to serve them.”

This story was originally published February 5, 2018 at 9:32 AM with the headline "Councilor Mimi Woodson decides whether to seek a 6th term."