Columbus mayoral candidate drops out of that race to run for Georgia governor
A Columbus resident, who planned to run for Columbus mayor in 2026, now is aiming for a higher political office.
Kia Marie Legette declared Tuesday her intent to run for Georgia governor as a nonpartisan candidate.
Legette filed in July her declaration of intent to accept campaign contributions to run for Columbus mayor. After this announcement, Legette spoke out about previously being arrested after an altercation with her husband. She then included addressing domestic violence as part of her campaign platform.
Legette founded Kia Technologies in 2019. The company tries to help startups avoid failing in the first three to five years. Before she started her company, Legette worked in the occupational skills training industry, she told the Ledger-Enquirer.
During her mayoral campaign, Legette decided she wanted to impact policies on a state and federal level, according to a Facebook post.
“My solutions and skills to make Columbus even greater rest on a state and federal level,” Legette told the Ledger-Enquirer in a text message Wednesday. “May the best candidate for Mayor of Columbus, GA, win.”
The nonpartisan election for Columbus mayor will be May 19, 2026. The qualifying period will begin March 2 at 9 a.m. and finish March 6 at noon. That’s when the official candidates will be determined for the ballot.
Legette dropping out leaves seven candidates who have filed declarations of intent to run for Columbus mayor:
- Fired city manager Isaiah Hugley filed July 10.
- Former Muscogee County sheriff candidate Mark LaJoye filed July 11.
- S&J Contractors co-owner Steve Kelly filed July 21.
- Columbus Councilor Joanne Cogle of District 7 filed Aug. 1.
- Columbus Councilor Byron Hickey of District 1 filed Aug. 29.
- Muscogee County School District maintenance worker Jonathan Jones filed Sept. 2.
- Licensed professional counselor Jaketra Bryant filed Sept. 8.
This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 1:29 PM.
