By Elliott Brack
Editor and publisher, GwinnettForum
AUG. 29, 2025 | A total of 82 candidates in Gwinnett cities have qualified to run for office in the November municipal elections.
Two cities, Buford and Peachtree Corners, have only unopposed incumbents running, therefore these candidates return to office without the necessity of an election.
Gwinnett’s newest city, Mulberry, will also have no election this November, since its original charter has its officers serving for three years.
Meanwhile, this November, Gwinnett will also have two more balloting questions.
Statewide, there will be races for two races for seats on the Georgia Public Commission. For District 2, Tim Echols faces Alicia Johnson, while for District 3, Fitz Johnson will run against Peter Hubbard.
Gwinnett voters will face another question on the ballot: whether to extend the Special Purpose One Cent Sales tax for education (E-SPLOST).
The statewide races and the E-SPLOST voting will take place in Gwinnett County precinct voting locations. However, city voters must go to their City Hall to vote in the city elections.
Below by city are the candidates seeking an elected position this fall.
Auburn:
- For two at-large seats: Jonathen Eggleston, James Matthews, Taylor Sisk and Robert Vogel III
Berkeley Lake:
- For three at large seats: Patrick Bussenius, Skipper Dahlstrom, Barbara Geier, Dick LoPresti, Bill Lyons, and Chip McDaniel.
- Special election: Bill Lacy and Gary Volino compete for one at larger seat.
Braselton:
- Mayor: Michael Cronic, Brandon Reed, and Kurt Ward.
- District 2: Richard Harper and Cheryl Marie May
District 4: James Murphy
Buford: Uncontested races:
- Commission Post 2 – Chris Burge
- Commission Post 3 – Bradley W. Weeks
- Board of Education – Bruce Fricks
- Board of Education – Kathlee Perkins Welch
Dacula:
- Mayor: Trey King
- One Seat: Denis W. Haynes Jr. and Ayanea Mason
- Another Seat: Erica Nicole Pope and Jason Shelton
Duluth:
- Post 1: Shafayat Ahmed, Jamin Harkness and Sarah Park (updated)
- Post 2: Maline Thomas
- Post 3: Lamar Doss, Billy Jones and Marlene Denise Tucker
Grayson:
- Mayor: Allison L. Wilkerson
- Post 2: Bob Foreman and Shunverie Rushing
- Post 4: Mike Bruce, Zachary L. Rushing and Rochelle Wright
Lawrenceville:
- Post 3: Austin Thompson and Randy Travis
- Post 4: Bryant Harris and Marlene Taylor-Crawford
Lilburn:
- Post 3: John Abellera and Michael Hart
- Post 4: Tiffany Brunson and Emil Powella
Loganville:
- Mayor: Branden Whitfield and John Sosebe
- Three at large open seats: Melanie Long, Wes Johnson, Toyin Olaoluwa, Joseph Bastian, Keith Colquitt and Joanne Byrne.
Mulberry:
This new city in Gwinnett will have no election in November, with the terms of its charter has all the initial council members up for election after three years.
Norcross:
- Mayor: Craig Newton
- Seat 1: Briana Murray and Matthew Myers
- Seat 2: Bruce Gaynor and Samantha Spitzner
Peachtree Corners:
- Post 2: Eric Christ
- Post 4: Joe Sawyer
- Post 6: Weare Gratwick
Snellville:
- Post 3: Shaunt’e CJ Pitt and Dan W. Russell
Post 4: Richelle D. Brown - Post 5: Catherine “Cat” Hardrick and Tod Warner
Sugar Hill:
- Mayor: Amber Chambers and Brandon Hembree
- Post 4: Alvin Hicks and Karl P. Siegele
- Post 5: Samantha Piovesan and Kalee Weiland
Suwanee:
- Post 3: Linnea Miller and Brittany Wolfe
- Post 4: Beth Hilscher, David Martinez, and Ted Rollins
- Post 5: T. Nicole Linder and Peter Charpentier
