Meet the 6 candidates running for the District 5 commissioner seat

Six people qualified as candidates for the District 5 special election to fill the remaining term of Seth Clark, who resigned last month to run for lieutenant governor of Georgia. Clark announced last week he’d be suspending his campaign amid “personal circumstances.”

Westside Neighbors United held a candidate forum Monday evening at the Greater Zion Hill Baptist Church.

District 5 includes Napier Heights, Ingleside, Pleasant Hill and Vineville neighborhoods and is bounded by Interstate 75, Wimbish Road, Anthony Road and Napier Avenue. 

Early voting is set to start Feb. 23, and Election Day is set for March 17. 

Here are the candidates vying for the seat:

Andrea Cooke

Age: 45

Occupation: Therapist, chief financial officer of the Southern Center for Choice Theory

How long have you lived in Macon: 45 years

Why run to represent District 5: As a longtime resident of Napier Heights, Cooke said she wants to show up for the people who’ve been there for her. She said her experiences working with Macon-Bibb County government, which includes running Macon Mental Health Matters, have given her a strong relationship with Mayor Lester Miller, along with an understanding of how decisions are made.

Top priorities: Housing, urban development, employment opportunities. 

“I plan to support anything that brings more opportunities for the people that live here,” Cooke said. “Having been born and raised here, seeing how much growth has happened, why would anyone want to curtail that?”

Edward C. Foster

Age: 47

Occupation: Vice president of the Pleasant Hill Neighborhood Association, extruder operator

How long have you lived in Macon: 47 years

Why run to represent District 5: The Pleasant Hill native said his neighborhood “hasn’t had a voice” for the past six years. He said he will be a commissioner that listens to the community first and foremost. Foster said he believes he can be someone who is transparent and available to his constituents. 

Top priorities: Poverty, cleaner streets, crime.

“I may not have all the answers, but I have a good team around me,” he said.

Albert Chester Gibbs 

Age: 63

Occupation: Kitchen designer for Home Depot

How long have you lived in Macon: Grew up here, graduated from Central High School, left town for college and returned in 1997.

Why run to represent District 5: “I believe the talents that I have will not only benefit District 5 but the community at large. Some of the problems of our community: In some areas, it’s blight; in some areas, it’s law enforcement; and, in some areas, it’s zoning. We need to see what we need to do to address those issues.” 

Top priorities: Blight; improving law enforcement response times via scheduling or staffing; ensuring access to healthy food and nutritional education.

Ulisha Khadidra Hill

Age: 42

Occupation: Life and health coach, private contractor 

Residency in Macon: A year and a half. Moved from Atlanta, where she graduated from Herzing University with a degree in the science of information technology.

Why run to represent District 5: “My love for the community and commitment to seeing it thrive. I just believe when you see a need, you step forward. And, when you see your neighbors struggling, you don’t wait for someone else to fix it. You just become a part of the solution. I have big plans for Macon. After listening to the families and small business owners and seniors and even the young people, I know that I could make some changes.” 

Top priorities: Empowering the youth, budget and money management classes for adults, helping small businesses thrive and sustain. 

“If I’m elected, the plans that I have for District 5, they’re all needed here. I am willing to listen to any concerns, and I will walk side-by-side and be there for the community whatever their needs are. If there’s a problem, there’s a solution, and we can make Macon a better place for the future.”

Stephanie Stephens-Lanham

Age: 56

Occupation: Medical laboratory scientist at Grady Memorial Hospital, 36-year military veteran

How long have you lived in Macon: 56 years 

Why run to represent District 5: “I want to help my community with the lack of opportunities for young adults and problems with the sheriff’s office. … The response time in Macon is awful.” Stephens-Lanham said she also  wants to explore creating a police department.

Top priorities: Listening to the community at scheduled town halls then charting a plan for the district; improving public safety response times; bettering opportunities for youth; increasing affordable housing and addressing blight within the district. 

Candidate Landon Justice didn’t respond to our interview request by press time. If the candidate, who, according to filing paperwork, is a 38-year-old lawyer, responds, we’ll update the web version of this story.