Alex Wan in City Council President runoff

Two-term City Councilmember in runoff for Atlanta’s second-highest political office

Atlanta, November 8, 2017 – Atlanta City Councilmember Alex Wan is in a runoff for the City’s second-highest elected position: Atlanta City Council President. The runoff election is Tuesday, December 5.
 
“Through your incredible support – and votes – we were victorious in yesterday’s election, decisively placing us in the runoff for Atlanta City Council President,” Wan says. “I ask for your continuing support to finish the race we started. Let’s cross the finish line together when the runoff vote takes place Tuesday, December 5.”
 
Wan said that he is both humbled and honored that citizens from across the City gave him their vote of confidence that brought him to the runoff. “As I said when this race started, my service on the Atlanta City Council has provided an incredible opportunity to participate directly in shaping our collective progress, while also deepening my faith in Atlanta’s continuing opportunities. I stand ready to further my commitment to our great city,” Wan says.

As noted throughout the campaign, there is much to be done, on issues ranging from transportation/transit and infrastructure to quality-of-life-disparities, doubling down on tough economic oversight and leaning into ethics, accountability, and transparency to restore trust in City Hall.
 
“The runoff presents a clear contrast between my record of accomplishment and leadership style and those of my opponent,” Wan says. “I have been able to get things done on Council because of the relationships I have developed with my colleagues and our many key stakeholders. Building consensus and leading others to action has been far more effective than alienating colleagues and standing alone. And, unlike my opponent, I have run an honest campaign, one that has not made false or misleading statements about her record.”
 
In this race Wan has been endorsed by:

• The Buckhead Coalition,
• RPAC (which represents both the Atlanta Board of Realtors and Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors),
• Georgia Equality,
• Georgia Log Cabin Republicans,
• Georgia Stonewall Democrats, and
• The Victory Fund.

 
He also received the Committee for a Better Atlanta's highest possible ranking, "Excellent.” His score of 96 out of 100 was the highest in the field in the Council President’s race. In fact, Wan is one of the two top scorers of all candidates (who participated) across all current City political races.
 
Wan was first elected to the City Council District 6 post in 2009 and easily earned a second term in 2013 with 76 percent of the vote, both times garnering a broad base of support. He is the first Asian American and first openly gay man to serve on Atlanta City Council. He is (currently) Director of Development and Alumni Relations at Emory University.
 
Raised in Atlanta and a Morningside homeowner for over 20 years, Wan was perhaps best known before his Council win for long-time community involvement, including service on the Invest Atlanta (formerly Atlanta Development Authority) Board and founding For the Kid in All of Us, an all-volunteer non-profit serving children in need. He currently serves on Boards of Directors for the Piedmont Park Conservancy, the Little Five Points Community Improvement District (CID), and the Olmsted Linear Park Association.
 
He holds a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech, a Finance MBA from Wharton Business School, and has completed educational programs at Dartmouth and Harvard.
 
The Atlanta City Council President is elected city wide, presiding at all Council meetings and voting in the event of a tie. The president of the Council also appoints chairs and members of the various committees. Council President also serves as vice mayor, acting for the mayor in certain instances. The Atlanta City Council President is elected for a four-year term and would take office in January 2018.