Voters in Newton County’s three largest municipalities will elect new mayors in 2025 after incumbents Max Anderson (Decatur), Antonio Hoye (Newton), and Brad Capps (Union) chose not to seek reelection. With the Jan. 31 qualifying deadline passed, each mayoral race will be decided between two candidates.
Newton Mayoral Race
City of Newton voters will select a new mayor in the April 1 primary election, where Deputy Clerk Demarius Evans and City Manager Billy “Jay” Powell, both Democrats, will compete for the seat.
Union Mayoral Race
Town of Union voters will also elect a new mayor in the April 1 primary election. Alderman Robert Blount (R) will face Alderman Rick Sistrunk (R) for the position.
Decatur Mayoral Race
Residents in Decatur will elect their new mayor in the June 3 general election. The candidates who qualified for the race are Decatur Assistant Fire Chief Austin Cunningham (I) and Retired Senior Master Sergeant Lea Ann Rushing (I).
Newton Aldermen Races
The City of Newton aldermen election will be highly contested, with most incumbents facing at least one competitor.
Ward 1: Incumbent Michael Hillie (D) will be challenged by Maurice “Sapp” Milsap in the primary election. The winner will face Arthur Nelson Jr. in the general election.
Ward 2: Incumbent Bob Bridges did not seek reelection, leaving an open race between Mikah Kolby Tillman (D) and David Pitts (I).
Ward 3: The race will be decided in April, with incumbent Eric McCalphia (D) facing Harvey Curry (D) and Eva Norman McDonald (D).
Ward 4: Incumbent Dan Moncrief (D) will face Niceta L. Hester (D) in another race set for April.
Ward 5: This race has the most qualifiers. Incumbent Temeka Drummond will compete against Charlene B. Walker in the primary. The winner will face Kay Killens (I) and Eddie Pugh (I) in the general election.
Union Aldermen Races
With two incumbents running for mayor, Wards 2 and 5 in Union will elect new aldermen.
Ward 1: Incumbent Paul Lowery (R) faces a challenge from Tony Stevens (R) in the primary.
Ward 2: Randall Lee (R) and Vince McElhenney (R) will compete in the primary.
Ward 3: Incumbent Billy McCune (D) was the only candidate to qualify.
Ward 4: Incumbent Harvey Hickmon (D) was the only candidate to qualify.
Ward 5: The lone qualifier for the seat is Zach Robinson (R).
Decatur Aldermen Races
Only two incumbent aldermen in the Town of Decatur are seeking reelection.
Ward 1: Incumbent Bill Johnson (I) will face Mac Chambers.
Ward 2: Luke Little (I) was the only candidate to qualify.
Ward 3: Incumbent Mike Harris has no challenger.
Ward 4: Kay Chambers (I) was the only qualifier.
Ward 5: Todd Brown (I) and Lynn Hayes (I) will compete for the seat.
Lake, Sebastopol, Hickory, and Chunky Elections
Lake
For the Town of Lake, the Mayor will be Jeffrey Gladney.
Alderman: Chad Hillman, Portia Nunley, Paul Tadlock, Kettra Tally, Gregg Hollingsworth.
Sebastopol
Town of Sebastopol incumbent Mayor Greg McGarity was the only candidate to qualify.
Alderman: Tarah Cantner, Al Easom, Randy Peoples, Jeff Taylor, and Renita Wilcher.
Hickory
Mayor: Charles Guyse.
Aldermen: Donna Ferguson, George Morgan, Lori Gallaspy, and Maggie Nichols.
Chunky
Mayor: Eric Gilbert.
Aldermen: Jeremy Luke, Jax Clark, Joshua Maxwell, Regina Steele, and Cay Clark.
