Missed our stories about Columbus mayoral candidates? What you need to know
The Ledger-Enquirer published interviews with candidates vying to become the next mayor of Columbus ahead of the May 19 election. Early voting starts April 27.
Each of these candidates discussed their priorities about top issues concerning voters, including economic development, public safety, taxes, housing and the proposed data center.
Here are key takeaways, with links to the full stories:
• Jaketra Bryant, a licensed counselor and leadership consultant, said Columbus’ biggest problems trace back to mental health. She wants to use evidence-based crime strategies modeled after Baltimore’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy, push for community land trusts and create a formal anti-retaliation ordinance to protect renters from landlord payback. Click this link to read the full story.
• Joanne Cogle, a Columbus councilor and small-business owner, said outdated city processes for zoning and permitting are a major hurdle for attracting businesses. She expressed concerns about Project Ruby, a proposed data center, including its environmental impact and enforcement of oversight. With Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis planning to leave by the end of this year, Cogle emphasized the importance of the next mayor’s role in recommending his replacement to the council. Click this link to read the full story.
• Isaiah Hugley, the former city manager fired by a 7-3 council vote last year, is pitching his 20 years of experience running city operations as a key factor separating him from the other candidates. He wants to recruit industries to compete with Auburn and Opelika, build a hotel attached to the Columbus Convention & Trade Center and push for Interstate 14 to run through Columbus. He called the state legislature’s proposal to eliminate property taxes a “threat” that could force Columbus’ sales tax to increase to roughly 11%. Click this link to read the full story.
• Steve Kelly, a U.S. Army veteran and general contractor, said Columbus needs new leadership because the “same people have been there for decades.” If elected mayor, Kelly said, he would assess condemned properties for potential transitional housing within his term’s first 100 days and expand vocational training in south Columbus. He also wants to make doorbell cameras more accessible to residents as a crime-fighting tool. Click this link to read the full story.
• Mark LaJoye, who has over 40 years of military experience and 14 years with Columbus police, wants to create a crime suppression task force with representatives from six surrounding counties to target gang violence. He opposes the Project Ruby data center, saying there are too many unanswered questions about its environmental impact. He also wants to partner with Fort Benning to train students in drone technology and AI fields to keep young people from leaving Columbus. Click this link to read the full story.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. All the Ledger-Enquirer articles linked in this recap were reported, written and edited by journalists.
