South Fulton Mayor khalid kamau Won’t Seek Reelection

Will Deliver Farewell Address at State of the City

South Fulton Mayor khalid kamau announced he will not seek reelection in November, marking a dramatic shift from his earlier plans to run for a second term. He said his upcoming State of the City address this Thursday will serve as his farewell speech.

kamau, who stylizes his name in lowercase, cited the personal sacrifices he made while serving as mayor—receiving only a $47,000 annual salary and reportedly turning down other job offers to prioritize his public duties. “To do all of this for over 100,000 people, I am paid about $20 an hour—the salary of a parks groundskeeper or a sales associate at Target,” he said during a City Council meeting last week.

The mayor also shared that he has relied on food stamps during his tenure and described the role as far more than just attending meetings—frequently visiting constituents’ homes and participating in community events.

His announcement comes after months of controversy and scrutiny. The City Council previously called for a forensic audit of kamau’s spending, barred him temporarily from city buildings, and took back items he allegedly purchased inappropriately, including a $1,830 pool table. Council members also garnished his wages to recover $5,000 used for a vinyl mural installed in City Hall.

City P-card records show kamau spent more than $77,000 in 2024—among the highest expenditures in city government—including travel to Colombia, Ghana, Rwanda, Paris, and Toronto. While he has described some trips as trade missions, the spending has been heavily criticized by council members and residents alike.

In his official statement, kamau said serving his hometown was one of his greatest honors but declared he had no desire to continue “fighting atop South Fulton’s Game of Thrones.”

Three candidates have announced bids to succeed him:

• Carmalitha Gumbs, current District 2 council member, who pledged a platform of integrity, accountability, and renewed leadership.
  
• William “Bill” Edwards, South Fulton’s former mayor, who said the city needs his “maturity, expertise and relationships.”
  
• Kelvin Davis, a Navy veteran and federal systems architect, promising a fresh approach focused on transparency and ethical governance.
  

Candidate qualification begins in August, ahead of the city’s November elections, which will also include races for Council Districts 2, 4, and 6.