The race for mayor in Marietta, a bustling city in Metro Atlanta, has come to an end, leaving the possibility of change in its wake. After a tightly contested battle, 78-year-old incumbent Steve "Thunder" Tumlin emerged victorious over his opponent, 24-year-old Sam Foster. According to Atlanta News First, Tumlin managed to secure the win by a mere 78 votes, with the final call being made around 1 a.m. on Election Night.
Many political enthusiasts were keenly observing this race, curious to see if the seasoned GOP incumbent could be toppled by the much younger Democrat, who had never held a public office before. Despite his lack of experience, Foster had grand plans for Marietta, a city he had come to call home after attending Kennesaw State University. As an IT systems engineer, he ran his campaign on the promise of lower living costs, improved public transportation, and heightened safety measures. Through his active presence on social media, Foster was able to reach out to the people of Marietta and share his vision of making their lives easier in the bustling city, located just 20 miles north of Atlanta.
Although Foster may have lost this race, his numbers still hold a significant meaning. They indicate a slow but steady shift towards the left in this northern Atlanta suburb. Had he emerged victorious, Foster would have made history as the youngest Black mayor in Georgia's long and storied history. As previously covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Foster had bold plans for Marietta, having noticed the deep-rooted issues within the city during his time as an undergraduate student. Even after receiving his degree, he chose to remain in Marietta and continued to serve his community by leading a local nonprofit and attending city council meetings. It was during these meetings that the idea to run for the top seat first sparked in his mind.
With a population of 60,972 as recorded in the 2020 census, Foster's campaign aimed to address issues such as displacement, while also striving towards increased accessibility and transparency in the city's government. He received support from both local and national nonprofits, such as The CollectivePAC, Candidates for Common Good, and Georgia Conservation Voters, all of whom believed in his vision for a better Marietta. Although his campaign may not have resulted in a win, it was still a historic moment for the city, with the possibility of electing the youngest Black mayor in Georgia's history.
Despite this, the political landscape in Marietta remains relatively unchanged. However, Foster is not alone in his pursuit to bring change to Georgia. He is among many Democrats in the state, hoping to ride the wave of change and turn Georgia blue. While his bid for mayor may not have been successful, left-leaning voters in Georgia made history by electing two Democrats to the Public Service Commission, signaling a potential shift in the political landscape ahead of the upcoming midterms.
In other news, a teenage athlete in California recently faced controversy and lost her track championship due to a controversial celebration.
