Doug Shipman projected winner of Atlanta City Council president race
Veteran nonprofit leader Doug Shipman is the apparent winner in a runoff election against longtime Atlanta City Councilmember Natalyn Archibong for City Council president.
Shipman, the former CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, leads Archibong with about 54% of the vote in the nonpartisan race. It will be the first time Shipman has served in public office. Archibong has represented District 5 since 2002.
The pair advanced to the runoff after emerging as the top two finishers in the general election on Nov. 2.
Shipman spoke with WABE’s “Closer Look” host Rose Scott about why he’s running for City Council president in September. The Bull Shoals, Arkansas, native said Atlanta was at a political crossroads while experiencing economic growth amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Atlanta put growth ahead of every almost every other factor,” he said. “If we’re getting more jobs, we’re getting more companies, we think that we’re winning, but that has allowed 25 % poverty to remain.”
The Atlanta City Council president oversees council meetings, which typically occur on a biweekly basis. Other responsibilities include appointing members and chairs to various city council committees.
The City Council president does not have a vote on legislation, unless a tie takes place. If the Atlanta mayor takes a leave from office or passes away, the president would transition into the role of mayor.
Shipman is also the former CEO of BrightHouse Consulting and has served on the boards of several nonprofits including Easter Seals of North Georgia, the Carter Center, Midtown Alliance, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Advisory Council of the Islamic Speakers Bureau and Out of Hand Theater, according to his campaign website.
Shipman would be sworn in as City Council president in January.
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