Cobb Commissioner Helen Goreham won’t seek re-election

Cobb County Commissioner Helen Goreham, one of the biggest proponents of the county spending $300 million to help the Atlanta Braves build a new stadium in the Cumberland Mall area, will not seek re-election this year.

Goreham said her decision had nothing to do with the controversial Braves stadium investment’s effect on her re-election prospects. In fact, Goreham said her vote in favor of the deal “probably boosted my support from the business community.”

“It’s 12 years at this job and time for me to step aside and start the next phase in my life,” Goreham said. Asked what’s next, she replied: “A little bit more family time — I have a son getting married in April. Time to travel a bit more and also look into some volunteer efforts in the community.”

Goreham, 62, was first elected in 2002, the same year Cobb Chairman Tim Lee first won public office. Lee became chairman of the commission in 2010, and Goreham has been one of his biggest supporters ever since.

Lee said his “jaw dropped” when he first heard about Goreham’s intention to step aside.

“The more I talked to her the more I understood that it made sense for her,” Lee said. “She’s worked 12 years, set the tone and what development and lifestyle should be like in her district, and has had some pretty good support for that.”

Goreham said her last year on the commission will be busy: there is a new bi-annual budget to set this summer, and the commission still has to approve a succession of agreements to solidify the Braves deal.