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Special elections held to choose leaders for new cities, TSPLOST

ATLANTA — Voters in the new cities of South Fulton and Stonecrest went to the polls to choose their first city leaders.

In South Fulton, a city of about 100,000 people, nine candidates vied for the mayor’s seat and Tuesday, voters narrowed down a crowded field to two.

Former Fulton County Commissioner Bill Edwards got 42 percent of the vote, followed by Rival candidate and businessman Benny Crane with 16 percent.

“Being a part of something new, a new initiative -- it's thrilling but I’m also apprehensive," voter Andrea Jones told Channel 2’s Carl Willis.

[FULL ELECTIONS RESULTS HERE]

"I'm glad that it's over. I'm looking forward to tonight, finding out who my new mayor is," said voter Ivory Denson.

"I've been the mayor of South Fulton for 10-14 years. I'm the only commissioner who has run a municipality. So, I understand what you have to do," Edwards said.

"He has been the de facto mayor for 14 years and all of the challenges happened on his watch and in 2014 he was voted out as mayor," Crane said.

Edwards is running on a platform that pushes public safety, education and economic development.

"Because those three things go hand in hand if you're going to have a wholesome community," Edwards said.

Crane’s message is similar.

"We're going to clean up our streets and make our community safe again,” Crane told Willis.

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But it's how each candidate plans on following through and how they arrived here that may set them apart the most.

“Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Middleton, Brookhaven, Peachtree Corners-- all of those cities stood up and they didn't have not one mayor that had prior elected experience and all of those cities are doing just fine,” Crane said.

“I'm the experience that you need and the leadership that you deserve," Edwards said.

The runoff election is planned for April 18.

Stonecrest has its first mayor

In Stonecrest, a city of 50,000 residents in southeast DeKalb, three candidates were running for mayor and 17 others were seeking five council seats.

Jason Lary has won the election for the city's first mayor.

South Fulton and Stonecrest are the ninth and 10th new cities formed in metro Atlanta since Sandy Springs was incorporated in 2005.

Cobb County TSPLOST

In Cobb, voters extended a sales tax for public education.

SPLOST V revenue will help construct hundreds of new classrooms, increase safety and security, and upgrade technology throughout the district.

“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the voters of Cobb County for their continued support of our school district,” Cobb County superintendent Chris Ragsdale said in a news release. “SPLOST V will provide needed resources to support our schools and staff in reaching our goal of student success.”

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution contributed to this article. 

Cox Media Group

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