Carmalitha Gumbs and Keisha Chapman Elected Mayors of South Fulton and East Point

South Fulton, Ga. — Carmalitha Gumbs, a current South Fulton City Councilmember, has been elected the city’s next mayor after defeating fellow councilmember Mark Baker by roughly 20 points in the runoff election. Gumbs will succeed Khalid Kamau, who finished in a distant sixth place in the general election following a tumultuous first term marked by controversy and political disputes.

Gumbs, who has served on the city council for several years, campaigned on a platform emphasizing community engagement, fiscal responsibility, and economic development. Her victory in the runoff demonstrates strong voter support for her vision of proactive leadership and collaboration with both residents and local businesses.

“I am honored by the trust the residents of South Fulton have placed in me,” Gumbs said in a statement following her victory. “I look forward to working with our city council, community leaders, and residents to continue building a safe, prosperous, and inclusive city.”

In East Point, Keisha Chapman won her mayoral runoff against Joshua Butler by approximately 30 points, signaling decisive voter approval. Chapman, known for her focus on public safety, infrastructure improvement, and neighborhood revitalization, is expected to bring a new energy to city leadership. Her campaign emphasized transparency, fiscal accountability, and expanding services to underserved neighborhoods.

Both runoff elections reflect a broader trend of voters seeking new leadership in cities facing challenges related to economic growth, public safety, and effective municipal governance. Analysts suggest that the decisive margins in these runoffs indicate that residents are ready for fresh approaches to local challenges, moving past the controversies and stagnation of prior administrations.

The newly elected mayors are expected to take office in early 2026. As they prepare to lead, both Gumbs and Chapman will face pressing priorities including city budgeting, community policing, infrastructure improvements, and fostering economic opportunities for residents.

With these elections, South Fulton and East Point signal a renewed focus on responsive, community-oriented leadership, setting the stage for potential changes in policy direction and civic engagement in the years ahead.