Several surprise candidates have thrown their hats into the ring during Tucker’s city council and mayoral contest qualifying period, including two mayoral candidates looking to defeat favorite Anne Lerner.
When qualifying ended Thursday, Aug. 21 at 4:30 p.m., former city council member Noelle Monferdini and Beverly Williams, a frequent speaker at council and community meetings, both qualified to run against Lerner.
Frank Auman, who has been Tucker’s only mayor in its short tenure as a city, is term-limited and cannot run again.
Monferdini, who served on council from 2016 until her term ended in 2023, filed documents indicating her intention to run for office on June 30, and her campaign disclosure report on Aug. 18. Williams filed her paperwork on Aug. 19.
Monferdini, in a statement to Rough Draft, said she believes that “local government exists to serve its people, being the first place you turn when issues arise and ensuring community engagement in every decision.”
“Over my eight years on the Tucker City Council, I’ve embodied those values by meeting in your homes, listening to your concerns, and delivering your voice on the dais where it mattered most,” she continued.
Monferdini said she will ensure Tucker’s future is shaped by you and through transparent government, active engagement, and policies that reflect our shared values.”
More about Monferdini can be found on her campaign website.
Both Williams and Monferdini will have an uphill battle against Lerner, who declared in her June 30 campaign donation disclosure report about $34,000 in donations and $14,000 in expenses, leaving her with a war chest of more than $20,000. Monferdini listed $620 in donations, and Williams has not yet filed her disclosure form.
For the District 1, Post 1 seat, Karen Peters-Rivers is running against incumbent Roger W. Orlando, who in his latest disclosure report had raised $77,000 with $49,000 in expenses. The two ran against each other in 2021, with Orlando prevailing.
For the District 2, Post 1 contest, incumbent Cara Schroeder will face Patrice Cosby, who made her declaration public on Aug. 19. In 2023, Cosby ran for the District 2, Post 2 seat that was won by Vinh Nguyen.
In the District 3, Post 1 race, Sam Ulrich, an outspoken supporter of the plan to build a pickleball complex at Tucker Recreation Center, will face incumbent Alexis Weaver.
Rough Draft has reached out to Cosby, Ulrich, Peters, and Williams about their campaigns and will update the story as they discuss their candidacies.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
