After representing southeast Atlanta for 20 years, Councilwoman Carla Smith will not seek reelection to the Atlanta City Council this year.
Smith announced the decision in a letter to supporters Wednesday.
“It has been one of the great privileges of my life to work for you. During these five terms, you have given me an opportunity to make a difference,” Smith wrote, adding that she has “genuinely mixed emotions” about not running again.
Smith mentioned the progress that has been made over the last two decades in District 1, which includes the neighborhoods of Grant Park, Ormewood, Lakewood Heights, Summerhill and Peoplestown. She referenced the Livable Centers Initiatives that guide future development and MARTA’s future bus rapid transit line that will connect the area to downtown.
With the Beltline passing through, Smith’s district is also rapidly changing as new development pours in.
“We used to be literally ‘the other side of the railroad tracks,’ but together, we’ve changed our trajectory,” she wrote.
Smith, whose term is over at the end of this year, is the third sitting member of the 15-person council to announce they will not seek reelection. J.P. Matzigkeit, who represents a Buckhead district, announced he won’t be on the ballot this November, while Councilwoman Natalyn Archibong is running for City Council president.
Smith said she looks forward to seeing the field of candidates who run to replace her, and may weigh in on that race later this year. “No chosen successor waits in the wings,” she said.
So far, candidates for the District 1 post include Clarence Blalock and Kelly-Jeanne Lee.
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