Columbus groups to unite at town hall for political strategy in 2026 election
A coalition of community organizations will host a town hall meeting this week to help coordinate political plans and advocacy ahead of the 2026 election.
Leaders from organizations, including the Columbus branch of the NAACP and the Columbus Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, will participate in the meeting scheduled for Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Page Doleman Complex, 718 8th St.
The goal of the town hall is to educate people about the issues and how to stand up for their rights, Ed DuBose, national NAACP board member and the Georgia state administrator, told the Ledger-Enquirer.
DuBose is a panelist for the town hall, and he will be joined by:
The Rev. Johnny Flakes III of Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church
Melvin Tanner Jr., president of the Columbus NAACP
Vickie Williams Wiley, community organizer
Marquese “Skinny” Averett, community organizer
Dorothy “Dot” Bass, community organizer
Dominick Perkins, political consultant.
With the next election cycle on the horizon, “the pattern of fragmented support” must end, Tanner said in a news release.
“Leadership isn’t just about holding office—it’s about serving communities, solving real problems, and inspiring progress,” said Bennie Newroth, spokesperson for Columbus, Georgia, United, in the news release. “We are committed to cultivating leaders who show up for the people every day — not just during election cycles.”
Columbus, Georgia United
According to the news release, community members launched Columbus, Georgia, United to streamline advocacy and ensure long-term impact.
The new movement will focus on “identifying, mentoring and preparing ethical, capable and visionary leaders through training, policy education and grassroots engagement,” says the news release.
“In the past, we just left it up to whoever wanted to run, would run,” Wane Hailes, owner of the Columbus Courier Eco Latino told the Ledger-Enquirer.
Sometimes there would be three or four candidates running against one person, he said. Columbus, Georgia, United emphasizes strategic planning, Hailes said.
“It really goes far beyond the ballot box, to be honest with you,” he said. “It’s about serving your community.”
‘Where do we go from here?’
The decision to create Columbus, Georgia, United came from observing recent actions of the Columbus Council, Hailes said.
Last month, the council appointed Councilor John Anker to the citywide District 9 seat the same day former Councilor Judy Thomas resigned because of medical reasons. Members of the coalition, along with former Mayor Teresa Tomlinson, spoke against the move. They argued it was part of a larger strategy to oust city manager Isaiah Hugley.
This town hall will not be focused on Anker or any councilors, DuBose told the Ledger-Enquirer.
“I want to stress that our sole focus won’t be on those individuals but rather what our next steps are,” he said. “Where do we go from here? That’s what the town hall meeting is about.”
The panelists include religious leaders like Flakes, young leadership like Skinner and others who can provide different perspectives, DuBose said.
Residents who attend may ask questions to the panelists, Hailes said, but it will not be a forum for people to express their displeasure with current officials.
Organizations have held forums and news conferences, he said, but this is about the next steps.
“It won’t be chaos,” DuBose said. “It’ll be most of the panelists speaking and talking directly to the audience about the power they have. Sometimes people don’t always know what to do, but they know that something needs to happen.”
