Commentary: Choosing the Right Mayor: Stewardship Over Self

Next year residents of Columbus, Georgia will elect its 71^st mayor. To date seven individuals have declared their intent to run for the position. The actual qualifying period for candidates running for local elected offices in Columbus, Georgia, for the 2026 election cycle is scheduled from March 2, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. to March 6, 2026, by 12:00 p.m. (noon). Declaring to run is one thing actually paying the qualifying fee is another thing all together. We won’t know until then, March 6 at noon who will actually be in the race.

As the Black press our role is vital for combating disinformation and ensuring a healthy democracy by providing unfiltered information and fostering an engaged public. To that end here is important information to consider when considering the best person for the position when you step into the voting booth next May.

A mayor is far more than a catalogue of policies pursued, crises weathered, or battles won and lost. The office is a stewardship—a sacred trust—rooted in service, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to the people. It demands the full measure of one’s time, thought, and energy, offered not for personal ambition or validation, but in service to the community’s present needs and future promise.

Because of that weight, a mayor deserves our respect—and our discernment. Leadership should be grounded in a documented record of service, not merely a desire to run. Not because one dislikes another candidate. Not because a faction of the community fears change. Not because someone claims divine instruction without the corresponding fruits of preparation and accountability. A city deserves more than impulse or grievance; it deserves stewardship.

Selecting the right mayor matters because the role directly shapes daily life and long-term outcomes. As the city’s chief executive and public face, the mayor sets the tone for public safety, economic development, fiscal responsibility, and crisis response. Their decisions influence whether a community grows together—or fractures under pressure.

Why the Choice Matters

• Economic Development: A capable mayor advances growth by attracting businesses, creating jobs, and cultivating a healthy local economy. Vision matters—but so does execution. Sound policies can transform a city into a place where opportunity thrives.
• Crisis Management & Public Safety: In moments of emergency—natural disasters, public safety threats, or civic unrest—the mayor becomes the steady voice and coordinating force. Calm, competent leadership in these moments can be the difference between chaos and confidence.
• Community Engagement & Advocacy: Mayors build trust locally while advocating for the city regionally and beyond. An empathetic, communicative leader addresses social challenges, promotes inclusion, and ensures residents feel seen, heard, and valued.

Qualities We Should Demand in a Mayor

1. Relationship Builder
   Never underestimate the power of relationships—among colleagues, staff, and the broader community. Investing time and care early prevents conflict later. Disrespect and personal attacks corrode governance; cooperation and sound policy strengthen it. If leaders root for failure, everyone loses.
2. Team Player
   While elected individually, leaders must govern collectively. A strong mayor advocates firmly yet listens openly, debates respectfully, and supports the will of the majority once decisions are made—placing the common good above personal interests.
3. Approachable
   True leadership listens. Accessibility—through meetings, events, and open lines of communication—builds trust. Clear, consistent, and inclusive communication is not optional; it’s essential.
4. Critical Thinker
   Many of today’s problems are born from yesterday’s quick fixes. Effective mayors think long-term, anticipate consequences, and resist shifting burdens to future generations.
5. Prepared
   The job is more than attending meetings. It requires study, diligence, and discipline. Prepared leaders do the homework, understand the issues, and arrive ready to govern—not wing it.
6. Financially Literate
   Cities run on budgets, not slogans. A mayor must understand financial statements, long-term fiscal impacts, and taxation realities—or be willing to learn. Sound stewardship demands fiscal competence.

In the end, good leadership is not defined by loud opinions or rigid stances. It is measured by character, competence, and commitment—the qualities that safeguard a community’s wellbeing today and secure its future tomorrow. Choosing the right mayor is not just a political act; it is a moral one.