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HomeCounty Commission Special Election 2025

County Commission Special Election 2025

Shortly after the Cobb County Board of Commissioners achieved a Democrat majority, local republicans drastically altered the county commission maps, drawing a sitting commissioner out of her district. Their intent was to force a special election in the hopes of flipping the board back to their control. The board maintained it's sovereignty by implementing the "Home Rule" map, which kept the map proposed by Cobb County's delegation to the State Legislature.


However, after a judge ruled the old map unconstitutional, special elections have been called to determine who will represent Districts 2 and 4 on the Cobb County Board of Commissioners. Your involvement in this election is crucial to the future of our county.


This webpage was created as a resource to inform the residents of Cobb County on the new maps, the upcoming special elections, and the candidates for February's primary.


Special Election Schedule

  • District 2 Special Democratic Primary Runoff Election - March 11, 2025
  • District 2 & 4 Special Election - April 29, 2025
Upcoming Events
Election Dates
Cobb-Map_resized.jpg

Former Cobb County Commission Map

New Cobb County Commission Map

District 2 Candidates

Candidates will face each other in a runoff election on March 11

Dr. Jaha Howard


Dr. Jaha Howard is a board certified Pediatric Dentist and owner of A+ Pediatric Dentistry of Atlanta. Before running for the County Commission, Dr. Howard served 4 years on the Board of Education for Cobb County Schools. He now serves on Cobb Transit Advisory Board. He now lives in Smyrna with his wife of over 15 years and their three children.


Platform

Candidate Platforms are pulled directly from their campaign websites.


Greater Access to Government:

Your local government shouldn't be a private members-only club. Too often, residents and businesses find it hard to work with. From his time on Cobb's school board, Jaha understands what it means to be an accessible leader who listens. As an owner of both residential and commercial property in District 2, Jaha has navigated the zoning and permitting processes, experiencing firsthand how these could be even easier for residents to navigate.


Stronger Local Economy :

Jaha has been an employer in Cobb for over 13 years at his pediatric dental practice in Vinings. He understands the unique challenges that small business owners face, and will bring that perspective to the board. He will work hard so that both new and existing businesses in our county can thrive, as well as ensure that they train and develop local talent.


A Safe Cobb for Everyone, Everywhere:

As a family man and business owner, Jaha knows that a local government's first job is keeping residents safe. He will ensure our first responders have what they deserve so that they can give us the support we need to make our community even better! This will include working towards our first responders having needed funding, housing and resources such as behavioral health services so that they can thrive in the communities that they serve.


Learn more about Candidate Howard on his website.


Campaign Website

Erick Allen


Erick Allen is a former Representative in the Georgia State House. After a 2022 run for Lt. Governor Of Georgia, Erick was elected Chair of the Cobb County Democrats, and is now a candidate for Cobb County Commission District 2. Erick works as a management consultant and lives in the Vinings area with his wife, Dr. Tameka Allen, and daughter, Elise.


Platform

Candidate Platforms are pulled directly from their campaign websites.


Public Safety:

Public Safety is the cornerstone for any thriving community. I will continue to advocate for investing in a secure and safe Cobb. These investment are in people, technology, and security infrastructure.


Housing:

A priority must be placed on attainable housing for our growing and diverse workforce as well as the student housing crisis emerging at Kennesaw State University.


Economic and Workforce Development:

I will ensure the delivery of services from every aspect of county government. I am committed to keeping Cobb the best place to do business, but also the best place for workers to raise a family.


Environmental Justice:

I know firsthand that environmental justice is crucial to the health and well being of our families, both now and long-term. Between the fight against Sterigenics’ air pollution in my community to advocating for national environmental policy, I will always fight for a clean, safe planet.


Affordability and Mobility:

We must continue and accelerate our focus on housing affordability and mobility. This is not just a quality of life issue but also a workforce issue. We want to make sure our public's service, public safety, Healthcare, and education workforce can live in the communities they support; and be able to navigate the Metro Atlanta region with a wide array of connectivity option.


Learn more about Candidate Allen on his website.


Campaign Website

District 4 Candidate

Monique Sheffield (Incumbent) 🔷


Monique Sheffield, currently serving as Cobb County District 4 Commissioner, brings nearly 25 years of residency in the district, residing in Austell, Powder Springs, and now Mableton. Sheffield's first term has been marked by a dedicated commitment to her constituents. She secured funding for SPLOST and other projects in District 4 including the Austell Transportation Transfer Center; South Cobb Medical Center; the Chattahoochee Riverland Trail; expansion of the South Cobb Regional Library, and neighborhood pocket parks. Before her election victory in 2020, Monique served as the District 4 representative on the Cobb County Board of Zoning Appeals. She is a graduate of Cobb 101: Citizens Government Academy, Cobb County Police Public Safety Academy, and the Cobb Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Cobb Class of 2023. 


Sheffield holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and always seeks what is right and fair! Her sense of fairness and equity shapes her decision-making process as a member of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners. 


ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Candidate accomplishments were pulled directly from their campaign websites.

Greenspace, Parkland and Trails

  • Approval of Austell-Powder Springs Road Trail connecting downtown Powder Springs to downtown Austell
  • Secured funding and approved two new community pocket parks and community garden
  • Completion of Mableton Parkway Pedestrian Improvement Project- Phase 1 and Phase 2
  • Groundbreaking and Ribbon Cutting for Chattahoochee Riverlands 100-mile multimodal project in Mableton
  • Opening of Discovery Park in Mableton. 150-acre passive park along the Chattahoochee River
  • Opening of the Drennon Avenue Silver Comet Trail access point in Austell
  • Allocated additional funds for the reopening of Old Clarkdale Park and Community Center in Austell
  • Mableton Town Square Park completion and community ribbon cutting
  • Renovations to Stout Park and horse barn in Powder Springs
  • Upgrades to Wallace Park to include Atlanta United Mini Soccer Pitch Park, and new synthetic turf
  • Upgrades to Mudd Creek Park in Powder Springs

Economic Development

  • Provided ARPA funding for CobbWorks Development Center in Mableton
  • Redevelopment of Old KMart Plaza in Mableton
  • Redevelopment of Hobby Lobby Plaza in Mableton to include Floor & Decor
  • New eateries and job creation in Mableton (Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Olive Garden, Eggs Up Grill, Johnny's Pizza, and Agave Mexican Cantina)
  • Approved zoning application for Chick-fil-A on Veterans Memorial Highway
  • Denied zoning applications for used car lots on Veterans Memorial Drive and Austell-Powder Springs Road
  • Approved revision of the Unified Development Code
  • Approved Cobb County Strategic Plan for future planning and efficient government 
  • Host monthly "In the Zone" community zoning meetings to engage the community in the zoning process

Community Improvement

  • Initiate and implement policies for mandatory apartment inspections to ensure habitable living conditions for residential tenants
  • Approve funding for Magistrate Court's tenant eviction diversion program
  • Approved ARPA funding for South Cobb Medical Center in partnership with Cobb Douglas Public Health at the former Magnolia Crossing
  • Apartments site in Mableton
  • Approved allocation of ARPA funds to assist residents, non-profits, and build communities in Cobb County
  • Approved funding for Cobb County's Family Advocacy Center for domestic violence survivors
  • Secured $2 million alongside U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff for the South Cobb Transit Center
  • Secured funds alongside U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff for the Chattahoochee Riverland Project
  • Secured funding for Family Life Restoration Center in Mableton for two consecutive years
  • Unveiling of the Riverside community garden at the South Cobb Community Center to promote community health and well-being
  • Approved funding and traffic signals for intersection improvements and pedestrian safety

- Buckner Road and Veterans Memorial Highway

- Riverside Pkwy and Factory Shoals

- Riverside Pkwy and Premier Lane

  • Acquired assemblage of 20 acres for the establishment of the Milford/Osborne Recreation and Community Center 
  • Secured funding from the Braves Foundation for the Austell Youth Innovation Center
  • Utilize Board of Commissioners' contingency to fund improvements at Austell Senior Center
  • Utilize Board of Commissioners' contingency to fund the expansion of the South Cobb Regional Library
  • Utilize entire $1 million Board of Commissioners' contingency to fund the expansion of the South Cobb Medical Center
  • Played a key role in acquiring an additional mammography unit at Vinings Health Park, bolstering resources for breast cancer detection
  • Completion of numerous sidewalk and road improvement projects throughout the district
  • Host annual community events (Districtwide Community Cleanup, Career Fair & Tenant Forum, Senior Holiday Basket Class, MUST Have      Holiday Cheer Food and Toy Distribution 

Public Safety

  • Approved and implemented Step and Grade salary pay for law enforcement personnel to enhance retention efforts
  • Partnered with the Cobb County Sheriff to establish a satellite office in Mableton to increase law enforcement presence in South Cobb
  • Approved funding for Cobb County Police Real-Time Crime Center technology to expedite crime resolution
  • Approved funding for License Plate Readers to enhance efficiency in apprehending suspects


Learn more about Commissioner Sheffield on her website


Campaign Website