Runner-up for Lithonia mayor will try again

The woman who lost the mayoral race in Lithonia last year by just two votes announced Wednesday that she plans to run in next month’s special election.

Rhonda Peek nabbed 74 votes out of 259 cast in the four-way race in November. Joyce McKibben won that battle, only to be recalled by voters last week by a 3-to-1 margin.

McKibben has vowed to run again, setting the stage for a possible rematch if both she and Peek qualify to be on the Nov. 18 ballot.

Peek, a legal consultant, has emphasized the need for citizens and business owners to work together for the city’s benefit. A consortium of business owners and residents led the effort to oust McKibben but will not endorse any candidates in the upcoming race.

Instead, the group plans to have at least one debate of all candidates, featuring questions from the community.

Until the election, Mayor Pro Tem Tonya Peterson is acting mayor and handling day-to-day business.