Columbus city councilor Judy Thomas resigns from office after four terms. Here’s why
Columbus Councilor Judy Thomas of District 9 officially resigned from the city council via a letter during the city’s council meeting Tuesday, citing her health.
Thomas has been absent from council meetings over the past few months, and her friend, John Shinkle, read a letter from Thomas announcing her resignation effective Tuesday.
“I hope that you truly hear Councilor Thomas’ voice because she wrote this letter with passion and lots of emotion,” Shinkle told the council.
Thomas is honored to have served four terms on the Columbus Council, she said in the letter, and has enjoyed the last 18 years of her service.
“I realize that the citizens of this great community deserve a councilor who can offer the full measure of engagement and leadership,” Thomas said in the letter. “I feel my current medical conditions prohibit me from effectively serving the citizens of Columbus, GA, as a councilor-at-large at this time.”
Thomas was previously treated for a heart condition in 2011 before returning to service.
Councilors weren’t expecting Thomas’ resignation to come on this day, District 10 Councilor Travis Chambers said in the meeting.
City councilors were emotional as showed appreciation for Thomas.
“We know that you are gone from our hearts, but not from this community,” District 5 Councilor Charmaine Crabb said.
Thomas said in the letter that she plans to stay involved and offer her support to the city government and the councilors who will come after her. She expressed her belief that due diligence will be done in selecting her replacement for the next 14 months.
“There are a number of qualified citizens you can recruit to serve in my place,” Thomas said in the letter. “I know God has the right person to fill this post.”
This story was originally published March 11, 2025 at 11:45 AM.
