Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Georgia’s most diverse county will soon have its first black mayor

Norcross native and longtime city councilman Craig Newton will be uncontested in the city’s November mayoral election. It is believed he will become the first black mayor of any Gwinnett County city. (Photo courtesy of Craig Newton)
Norcross native and longtime city councilman Craig Newton will be uncontested in the city’s November mayoral election. It is believed he will become the first black mayor of any Gwinnett County city. (Photo courtesy of Craig Newton)
By
Aug 31, 2017

Local political observers don’t believe any city in Gwinnett County — the most diverse community in Georgia, if not the entire Southeastern United States — has ever had a black mayor.

But that’s almost certain to change. And soon.

MORE: The candidates for Gwinnett's 2017 city elections

Craig Newton, a Norcross native and longtime city councilman, was the only candidate to qualify last month for his hometown's mayoral seat. And his eventual swearing in will be a symbolic but significant milestone for one of the Southeast's most diverse counties that has, nevertheless, had a historical dearth of non-white government leadership.

Read more about who Newton is — and about Gwinnett’s history of lacking non-white representation — at myAJC.com.

In other Gwinnett news:

Investigators said they found the drugs in a small apartment.

About the Author

Before taking over the AJC's Sports Daily newsletter, Tyler Estep spent two years writing the A.M. ATL newsletter. A Gwinnett County native and University of Georgia graduate, he has been with the AJC since 2015 and previously worked as a reporter on the breaking news, hyperlocal and local government teams.

Follow Tyler Estep on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

The officer-involved shooting happened at the Hilton Atlanta Airport hotel near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport early Saturday morning. (Channel 2 Action News)

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Armed man shot by police at hotel near Atlanta airport

Hapeville officers were called to the Hilton Atlanta Airport hotel on Virginia Avenue after shots were fired inside Room 1225.

‘Nobody’s kid should be getting shot’: 2 youths injured at Atlanta apartments

Two boys, ages 10 and 15, were injured at a northwest Atlanta apartment complex shortly before 1 p.m. Resident Necole Pruitt said she called 911 after hearing gunfire.

Judge: Arrests could result from plan to end homelessness in downtown Atlanta before World Cup

Atlanta is scrambling to create housing for homeless people before the World Cup arrives, but a judge says the plan could lead to some arrests of homeless people.

The Latest

Atlanta police released body camera footage of their efforts to stop a hijacked bus on June 11, 2024. (Courtesy of Atlanta Police Department)

Credit: Atlanta Police Department

Gridlock Guy: Terror and pain from bus hijacking still present a year later

1h ago

Gridlock Guy: Terror and pain from bus hijacking still present a year later

‘Nobody’s kid should be getting shot’: 2 youths injured at Atlanta apartments

Featured

Near the end of the longest day of the year, Georgians rest atop Stone Mountain to watch the sunset behind the Atlanta skyline. (Richard Watkins/AJC)

Credit: Richard Watkins

Atop Stone Mountain, on the longest day of the year

On Friday, the longest day of the year in metro Atlanta, a man did pushups at the top of Stone Mountain. He and perhaps 50 others saw the sun setting and summer approaching.

Chick-fil-A retains top honors in fast-food survey and more from Atlanta’s dining scene

American consumers gave Chick-fil-A top marks, two Decatur restaurants closed and a major conference for hemp beverages is coming to Atlanta.

Young Didier Fuentes shows reason for excitement in MLB debut, but Braves lose

The 20-year-old showed plenty of encouraging flashes in loss to Marlins.