Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul will be unopposed for his second term after challenger David Crim dropped out of the race.

Crim, 48 and the former state deputy insurance commissioner, said Tuesday he decided to drop out of the mayor's race after qualifying last week primarily as a way to save the city money. With his exit, there is only one competitive council seat.

Crim also said he “realized it would take a lot of work” to fix the problems facing Sandy Springs.

“I never aspired to be a politician,” he said. “I made certain my name could be removed from the ballot, and there wouldn’t be an election.”

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(From left) State Election Board member Rick Jeffares, executive director James Mills, vice chair Janice Johnston and member Janelle King listen during an election board meeting at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. The board voted down a proposal to eliminate Georgia’s touchscreen voting system and switch to hand-marked paper ballots. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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Democrat Eric Gisler celebrated his Tuesday election victory at the Trappeze Pub in Athens, Ga. (AP)

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