The worst-kept secret in local politics is now out in the open, as Athens-Clarke County Commissioner Dexter Fisher formally announced his candidacy for mayor on Friday.
Fisher’s campaign slogan is “A Voice of Reason,” echoing former mayor Nancy Denson’s “The Common-Sense Choice” when she defeated Gwen O’Looney in 2010 by running to her right. In this case, Fisher will be the more moderate or conservative alternative to progressive 2014 mayoral candidate, former commissioner and current school board member Tim Denson, who entered the race a month ago. Fisher promised “calm, solutions-oriented leadership” in his announcement, touting his support for youth development, public safety and workforce readiness. He supported the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce’s Athens Achieves initiative, funding for the Boys & Girls Club to open new community centers, fully staffing the police department’s real-time crime center and lowering the millage rate two years in a row.
“I’m running for mayor because Athens deserves leadership that listens, unites and delivers,” Fisher said in a news release. “This campaign is about building a future where every Athenian—regardless of background—has the opportunity to thrive.”
However, not all of those moves were without controversy. Some taxpayers vocally opposed Commissioner Mike Hamby’s budget proposal, passed last month, that raided funding for voter-approved transportation projects to pay for a small tax cut for homeowners, and also spoke against the real-time crime center, citing concerns about excessive surveillance and police potentially targeting members of minority groups. Fisher also drew some criticism for bypassing the usual bidding process to secure funding for the Boys & Girls Club.
Fisher won the District 5 commission seat in 2022, after Athens’ Republican state legislators redrew the districts and prevented three incumbents from running for re-election, including Denson. He enjoyed substantial support from Republicans, although he has bristled at suggestions that he himself is a Republican, calling himself a lifelong Democrat who welcomes support from anyone. Both the conservative group Athens Classic and left-leaning Mayor Kelly Girtz endorsed Fisher in that race. Meanwhile, four progressive commissioners—Mariah Parker, Jesse Houle, Russell Edwards and Carol Myers—backed his opponent, Matthew Pulver, as did state Rep. Spencer Frye (D-Athens). The Athens-Clarke County Democratic Committee did not take a side.
Prior to getting into politics, Fisher had a successful 31-year career at UGA, retiring as director of facilities management in 2019. He then served in a similar capacity with the Clarke County School District for three years.
Girtz is limited to two terms, so the mayor’s seat will be open in 2026. Other candidates may join the race between now and the qualifying period in March, but Fisher and Denson are likely to be the two heavyweight contenders.
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