Columbus Councilor Byron Hickey withdrawing from mayor’s race. He explains why
Byron Hickey, the District 1 representative on the Columbus Council, is withdrawing his candidacy from the mayor’s race.
Hickey intends to file with the Muscogee County Board of Elections and Registration the document to end his campaign this month, he told the Ledger-Enquirer on Wednesday.
“I’ll be dropping out from the race due to some new developments with my health so I can prioritize and focus on my health and take this moment to do that and focus on my family,” he said.
Hickey, 65, declined to specify the concern about his health. Asked whether it’s life-threatening, he said, “I guess it could be that, but I’m leaning on and trusting God.”
Thinking about the support he has received during the campaign so far, Hickey said, “I want to tell everybody I appreciate their confidence in me. I appreciate their dedication.”
Hickey said he wants his supporters to vote for Joanne Cogle, the council’s District 7 representative, in the mayor’s race.
“She has great leadership skills,” he said. “. . . She’s a good listener, and I know she’ll be the type of person that will be there to fight for everybody in the city. She will be a bridge builder that can bring people together.”
Hickey’s departure from the race leaves these six candidates who have filed declarations of intention to accept campaign contributions for a chance to succeed Skip Henderson, who can’t be reelected because city law limits the mayor two four-year terms:
- Isaiah Hugley, who worked 41 years for the Columbus Consolidated Government, including 20 years as city manager, before the council voted 7-3 May 27 to fire him
- Cogle, who owns Crossfit CSG gym and is among the councilors who voted yes to fire Hugley
- Jaketra Bryant, a licensed professional counselor
- Jonathan Jones, a maintenance worker for the Muscogee County School District
- Steven Kelly, a U.S. Army veteran who co-owns S&J Contractors
- Mark LaJoye, a U.S. Army veteran who worked in the Columbus Police Department for 13 years and lost five elections while running as a Republican to be Muscogee County sheriff.
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. The nonpartisan election will be May 19. The new mayor will be sworn into office in January 2027.
Among the announced candidates, Hugley and Cogle appear to be the leading contenders. The Ledger-Enquirer hasn’t reached Cogle for comment about Hickey’s withdrawal and his endorsement of her, but Hugley replied to those questions in a text message Thursday to the L-E:
“First and foremost, we wish Mr. Hickey a speedy recovery and we are keeping him and his family in our prayers as he focuses on his health,” Hugley wrote. “As for the Hugley for Mayor campaign, we will continue working to bring the people of Columbus together. This is because unity, not division, is how we move forward.
“This moment and this movement for the Hugley for Mayor Campaign is not about who steps aside, but about what we step into together. We are not divided; we are destined, destined to rise above the noise and focus not on what is broken, but on what is possible.
“I’ve spent a lifetime preparing to lead this city, and I am ready on day one to serve with integrity, compassion, and a deep commitment to every resident in every neighborhood. One Goal. One Future. One Columbus.
“I am laser focused on rebuilding public trust and unity, preventing crime and strengthening public safety, and expanding economic mobility and affordable housing for all.”
This story was originally published January 7, 2026 at 3:30 PM.
