Q&A with John Anker, candidate for citywide District 9 seat on Columbus Council
Editor’s note: This is one of the Ledger-Enquirer Q&As with candidates running for a contested seat on the Columbus Council. Early voting for the 2026 local nonpartisan election, which coincides with the Georgia primary, begins April 27, and election day is May 19.
The 10-member Columbus Council’s citywide District 9 seat is filled by incumbent John Anker, who was appointed to the seat by the council’s 6-3 vote in March 2025 on the same day Judy Thomas resigned. Anker, founder and president of Ankerpak, is running in this election against dentist Cathy Cook, U.S. Army veteran Rocky Marsh and Valdosta State University visiting political science professor John Van Doorn.
Here is the Ledger-Enquirer’s emailed interview with Anker:
Why are you running for this position?
“I am pushing for positive change, and this change takes more time.
“I have higher expectations of our city government and the way that we serve the most amount of citizens across all of our city. I want to see Columbus build on our wonderful foundation and grow even greater into our future.
“I want to see Columbus as a model city across the United States. I don’t want us to say, ‘Every city has this problem.’ I want us to say, ‘This is how we created the solution.’”
Why should Columbus residents vote for you?
“People should vote for John Anker because I’m not trying to win a popularity contest.
“I am trying to push for better results for the most citizens. I want the same things that 90% of citizens want, but I feel like my experience in the process of getting there will result in better solutions.”
What is your most significant accomplishment as a councilor?
“Helping with the winds of change.
“Change is hard and makes people very uncomfortable, but there is a positive way to inflict difficult change that helps people.
“My questioning about the budget versus the value to the citizens has been one of these areas.
“Even before I was on council, I came to the podium, and for the first time, Columbus lowered the mileage rate. This instrumental legislative change kept people’s rent from increasing that year.
“The last four years have seen a dramatic 52% increase in property valuation, which is hurting renters more than they know today. So, we need more relief for our people through millage decrease at the school district and the city government.”
What is the most significant problem you want to address, and what will be your solution if elected?
“The most significant issue moving forward is a total transition and shift in culture within our city government. This will happen with executive leadership with boots-on-the-ground listening and by actively pursuing excellence.
“With the right leadership in place, we can focus on efficient government that delivers more value to all citizens without the continually increasing tax burden.
“The Columbus Consolidated Government and the Muscogee County School District have received over $200 million in added income every single year, and the value has not reached the citizens well enough. I intend to keep working to serve the citizens in these areas better.”
What is your occupational and educational background?
“Ankerpak is a small business founded 23 years ago by my wife and me with four industrial locations in Columbus, Georgia.
“We employ around 200 people. We have bought buildings that other companies closed up and abandoned, and we turned them into an operation that serves customers in areas where they would normally go to China or Mexico to receive the service.
“My experience is leading in tough, hard environments with a diverse team of people in areas where most people think we cannot achieve the goal. It has been my experience that we can win if we put our minds to it and stay focused on the prize.
“I completed my undergraduate degree at Georgia Southern University. But most of my knowledge and experience has been on the plant floor working with people, as opposed to higher education and reading in books about how others did it.”
What is your community involvement and history of leadership roles?
“Over the years, I have served on the board with the Georgia Tech Manufacturers Extension Partnership, our local Chamber of Commerce, Safe House Capital Fund chair and past chairman of the Georgia Association of Manufacturers in Atlanta.”
What else should the L-E’s readers know about your campaign?
“Everyone should listen closely to what is not being discussed enough, and that is our jail.
“This problem has been brewing for over 26 years, and it will be the biggest source of debt that we have ever undertaken.
“We will have a brand-new mayor and a new council that will be forced to make difficult decisions on how to proceed financially. Citizens should be asking their councilors at every opportunity about the current status and financial plan for moving forward with a solution for our jail. This is not just my campaign. This is Columbus‘ biggest issue in the future.”
