Want a summary of Columbus Council candidates and their views? Here’s a roundup
The Ledger-Enquirer published Q&A interviews with all 14 candidates running for contested seats on the Columbus Council. Early voting begins April 27, and election day is May 19.
Here are key takeaways:
• District 1: Simi Barnes, a licensed professional counselor and daughter of the late Councilor Jerry “Pops” Barnes, is running on the issues of affordable housing, public safety and transparency. She said nearly 48% of Columbus renters are cost-burdened and pledged to work with nonprofits and developers to expand safe, affordable housing. Barnes has more than 15 years of experience in behavioral health. Click this link to read the full Q&A.
• District 1: Karen Gaskins, a retired Columbus police officer with 34-plus years in law enforcement, said the city has forgotten who it works for. She wants to address affordable housing by promoting smaller homes in the $150,000 range, citing a Georgia Tech study. Gaskins serves as president of the Sears Woods Neighborhood Association and said her campaign is funded entirely by everyday people. Click this link to read the full Q&A.
• District 3: Sherrie Aaron, a U.S. Army veteran and entrepreneur, said she wants to address the lack of economic opportunity in parts of District 3. Aaron said she is a licensed Realtor in Georgia and Alabama who manages businesses generating over $1 million annually. She serves as chairman of the Land Bank Board and leads Jag Promises, a support community for mothers impacted by gun violence. Click this link to read the full Q&A.
• District 3: Jake Golden IV, a pastor and middle school principal, said the most pressing issue is neighborhood conditions, including poor lighting, abandoned properties and inconsistent city services. He holds a doctorate in education from Nova Southeastern University and has spent over 23 years in public education. Golden is the founder of Sigma 7, a nonprofit focused on youth development. Click this link to read the full Q&A.
• District 3: Zack Lee, a filmmaker and CEO of Exackleeright Entertainment, said the biggest issue is quality of life, citing a lack of healthy food options, family-friendly dining and entertainment. He holds a bachelor’s degree in film from the Los Angeles Film School. Lee said he has brought the community together through events at venues such as the Columbus Museum and National Infantry Museum since 2009. Click this link to read the full Q&A.
• District 5: Charmaine Crabb, the district’s incumbent, said she wants to continue serving during the transition to a new mayor, city manager and police chief. She has been in property management and real estate since 1987 and holds a bachelor’s degree from Ambassador University. Crabb said she has challenged the status quo by asking common-sense questions. Click this link to read the full Q&A.
• District 5: Robert Wadkins Jr., an attorney with Columbus firm Wadkins, Wallace & Danley, said people have lost trust in the city council and are tired of political theater. He graduated from the University of Georgia and earned his law degree from the University of Alabama in 2010. Wadkins serves as board chairman for Direct Services and vice chairman for the Columbus Sports and Entertainment Authority. Click this link to read the full Q&A.
• District 7: Laketha Ashe, a financial services and insurance professional, said a major issue in District 7 is a lack of consistent neighborhood engagement and equitable investment. She has over 20 years of experience in financial services and is pursuing her doctorate. Ashe is the founder of Still Standing Initiatives and serves as a board member for Valley Healthcare Systems. Click this link to read the full Q&A.
• District 7: Chiara Richardson, a communications professional, said one of the most significant issues in the district is blight and illegal dumping. She has over 15 years of experience in education and attended Georgia Southern University. Richardson is a founding member of Fountain City Slam and has led writing workshops for youth in the Muscogee County School District. Click this link to read the full Q&A.
• District 7: Becca Zajac, executive director of Dragonfly Trails, said the most consistent concern she heard after knocking on more than 2,000 doors is a lack of communication and trust in government. She has led the build out of the 65-mile Dragonfly Trail network, the second-longest connected trail system in the Southeast. Zajac co-wrote the public art ordinance and is pursuing an MBA in nonprofit management. Click this link to read the full Q&A.
• Citywide District 9: John Anker, the district’s incumbent who was appointed to the seat in March 2025, said the most significant issue is a total transition and shift in culture within city government. He is founder and president of Ankerpak, a business with about 200 employees and four industrial locations in Columbus. Anker said the Muscogee County Jail is an issue not being discussed enough, calling it a problem brewing for over 26 years. Click this link to read the full Q&A.
• Citywide District 9: Cathy Cook, a dentist, said she is running to stop the chaos and refocus the council on representing the people. She is a veteran and graduate of Columbus High School. Cook said she wants to support incentives for development of grocery stores in underserved areas and encourage public-private partnerships to expand affordable housing. Click this link to read the full Q&A.
• Citywide District 9: Rocky Marsh, a retired service member, said one of the city’s biggest challenges is strengthening communication and trust between local government and the community. He holds a doctorate in education from Trident University International and is nationally certified with the Society of Human Resources Management. Marsh serves as vice president of the River Valley Black Chamber of Commerce. Click this link to read the full Q&A.
• Citywide District 9: John Van Doorn, a visiting political science professor at Valdosta State University, said the most significant problem in Columbus is a lack of trust. He holds a doctorate in political science and has studied public policy for 30 years. Van Doorn said he has called for a moratorium and a scientific poll on Project Ruby, the proposed data center in Columbus, to gauge how voters “truly feel” about this issue. Click this link to read the full Q&A.
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.
