It’s stated that “all politics is native,” and that’s true proper right here in Peachtree Metropolis. 

The choices made by our mayor and metropolis council decide how a lot we pay in taxes, how protected our neighborhoods really feel, the situation of our roads and paths, and the sort of developments that outline our future. That’s why the 2025 municipal elections matter and why it’s price taking a more in-depth have a look at who’s stepping as much as lead.

In accordance with town, two candidates have filed their Declaration of Intent types for mayor: Kim Learnard (the incumbent) and Eric Imker (a former council member).

For Metropolis Council Submit 3, incumbent Clint Holland has formally filed to run once more. 

As for Metropolis Council Submit 4, the image is much less clear. Present Councilmember Frank Destadio is not going to search re-election. No different candidates have declared an intent to run.

We’ll take a more in-depth have a look at every race within the coming months. However for now, let’s begin with the returning candidate who’s been on the poll greater than anybody else in current reminiscence: Eric Imker.

Imker’s Political Monitor Report

Imker isn’t any stranger to Peachtree Metropolis politics. He served on Metropolis Council from 2010 to 2015 after successful elections in 2009 and once more in 2011. Throughout his time on council, Imker constructed a repute as a fiscal watchdog, incessantly main efforts to chop spending, construct reserve funds, and plan for long-term infrastructure wants. 

After stepping away from council, Imker has made a number of makes an attempt to return to elected workplace. He ran for mayor in 2017 however misplaced to incumbent Vanessa Fleisch. In 2021, he launched one other mayoral bid and superior to a runoff with Kim Learnard, finally shedding by about 390 votes. Most not too long ago in 2023, he ran for Submit 1 on Metropolis Council, ending third and failing to make the runoff.

Imker’s Strengths

Now that his title may very well be again on the poll, it’s price taking a contemporary have a look at what strengths he brings to the race.

Finances Self-discipline

Imker’s most constant asset is his command of municipal finance. He can cite tax charges, capital prices, and reserve balances with ease, and his tenure on council was marked by a relentless give attention to trimming bills and constructing long-term monetary stability. He was a key determine in serving to Peachtree Metropolis navigate the aftermath of the Nice Recession, pushing for conservative budgeting practices and long-range planning. He deserves credit score for serving to lay the monetary basis town continues to profit from as we speak.

Engineering and Mission Expertise

Imker additionally attracts closely on his background in engineering and program administration. His profession included work with the U.S. Air Drive, NASA, and personal trade, the place he led large-scale technical tasks. In his 2021 letter explaining why he was working for mayor, he stated that background offers him “distinctive {qualifications} to set the course for our metropolis.” This may very well be helpful as Peachtree Metropolis offers with growing older infrastructure and rising calls for on its transportation community.

Dedication To Peachtree Metropolis’s Village Idea 

Imker has persistently positioned himself as a defender of town’s unique village idea. In his earlier campaigns, he emphasised his dedication to stopping condominium tasks, resisting large-scale rezonings, and preserving town’s distinctive format and inexperienced house. For voters who really feel town is altering too quick or straying from its roots, Imker’s platform has a reassuring enchantment.

Imker’s Weaknesses

Though Imker brings expertise and clear strengths to November’s election, he additionally carries vital stylistic and strategic weaknesses that would sink his newest marketing campaign and make him an ineffective mayor if elected. 

Collaboration And Tone

Probably the most frequent criticisms of Imker is that he struggles to collaborate. To his credit score, he labored successfully with people like then-Councilmembers Kim Learnard & Vanessa Fleisch throughout their shared time on council on efforts to stabilize town’s finances. However in lots of different instances, he was typically the lone dissenting vote. Some may view this as principled independence, however others seen it as a barrier to efficient governance. Imker brazenly acknowledged in his 2021 mayoral kick-off letter to The Citizen that recognition isn’t a qualification he values. Which will have served him effectively in sure debates, however the function of mayor requires bringing folks collectively, navigating disagreement, and constructing consensus.

A very telling instance of Imker’s collaborative shortcomings comes from the 2017 Citizen Particular Function Native Choice Gross sales Tax (SPLOST) Workforce. This was a gaggle fashioned to evaluate and advocate tasks for Peachtree Metropolis’s then-new gross sales tax initiative. In accordance with fellow member Mike LaTella, Imker introduced a domineering “my approach or the freeway” angle to the group. In a 2021 letter to The Citizen, LaTella recalled how Imker tried to manage the method, resisted enter from others, and finally stopped attending conferences when the group pushed again. “We’ve had that sort of management earlier than in our metropolis, and it doesn’t work,” LaTella wrote. “If we elect Eric as Mayor, we might be buying and selling efficient authorities motion derived via wholesome and respectful debate for lots of scorching air, public shows of dissent, and plenty of whining letters to the editor.”

Imker’s collaboration downside is compounded by his tendency towards sharp rhetoric. Over time, his letters and public statements have typically been combative. He’s accused metropolis officers of “completely horrendous” oversight and implied that some might be swayed by “particular pursuits.” Within the 2021 runoff, he framed himself in a letter to The Citizen as “the one Republican for Mayor” and claimed his opponent “helps leftists.” Whereas that sort of messaging could resonate with a selected base, it’s off-putting in a metropolis the place elections are nonpartisan and the place many citizens care extra about parks and paths than political affiliation. Against this, Mayor Learnard prevented occasion labels in that race and gained by constructing a broader coalition.

The “Phantom Candidate” Drawback

One other persistent knock on Imker is his visibility (or extra precisely, the shortage of it). Exterior of marketing campaign season, his engagement in metropolis affairs is minimal. He sometimes pens a letter to The Citizen like his 2023 endorsement of SPLOST, however he hasn’t served on a municipal board or committee since his controversial involvement within the 2017 SPLOST effort. He additionally hasn’t led any significant municipal initiatives as a non-public citizen. His most recognizable contributions have been organizing Monopoly tournaments and group scavenger hunts. Whereas these are commendable and community-minded, they don’t precisely deal with town’s challenges.

Even when he does step into the political area, visibility stays a priority. Throughout his 2023 metropolis council marketing campaign, for instance, he reportedly skipped the Rotary Membership debate to go on a visit he had deliberate upfront. (Which has all the time made me surprise: why schedule a conflicting trip when you already know you’re campaigning for workplace?)

This sample has earned him a repute some political commentators derisively confer with as a “Phantom Candidate.” He vanishes between elections when there may be actual work to be accomplished however reappears to ask in your vote.

A satirical Fb submit credited to native resident Marko Deresh circulated throughout his 2023 marketing campaign captured this sentiment. It was harsh, nevertheless it was rooted in a notion shared by many citizens:

Within the quaint city of Peachtree Metropolis, nestled beneath the Georgia solar, there exists a peculiar creature named Eric Imker. For many of the yr, he slumbers within the shadows, hidden from the hustle and bustle of group life. However because the leaves flip, and marketing campaign season begins to rustle, the creature stirs.

Oh, how the townsfolk have grown accustomed to this eerie sample. They know that when the primary autumn breeze whispers via the streets, Eric Imker will emerge from his lair, very like an historical worm waking from its age-old slumber.

Whereas others diligently are inclined to the wants of the city all year long, Imker’s presence is scarce, his participation just about non-existent. He’s a phantom, save for one infamous exception: the annual Monopoly event.

However because the political season dawns, so too does Imker. He emerges, not as a board sport fanatic however as a political contender. The city can’t assist however really feel a way of impending dread as they brace themselves for the return of the enigmatic Eric Imker, able to as soon as once more torment their peaceable lives with guarantees and marketing campaign fervor.

Will he show to be a formidable opponent on the earth of politics, simply as he’s on the Monopoly board? Or will the townsfolk see via his campaign-season persona, questioning whether or not Peachtree Metropolis wants a pacesetter who solely awakens from hibernation when the election drums begin to beat? Solely time will inform because the political creature of Peachtree Metropolis embarks on one more marketing campaign journey, leaving the city to surprise what mysteries lie behind his elusive existence.

All the time “In opposition to,” By no means “For”

Lastly, Imker has not had a transparent, forward-looking message. His previous campaigns targeted closely on what he needs to cease: greater taxes, dense growth, price overruns. However this makes it arduous to know what he’s for. If elected mayor in 2025, what would he construct, assist, or champion to make Peachtree Metropolis stronger and extra vibrant? If he’s had plans that addressed these up to now, they didn’t go away a long-lasting impression. With out a compelling imaginative and prescient for the longer term, it’s arduous for him to encourage confidence in his management.

What Imker May Do To Win

If that is going to be the yr Imker lastly breaks via, his marketing campaign can’t appear to be it has up to now. Whereas he’s persistently picked up an honest share of the vote, it’s by no means been sufficient to get him throughout the end line. Going from 2nd place in 2021 to third place in 2023 also needs to be troubling to him. 

Imker wants change. And listed here are three ideas for his consideration:

Provide One thing New

Imker’s message hasn’t modified a lot since his first marketing campaign. His core speaking factors—decrease taxes, finances self-discipline, opposition to flats—are actually acquainted to anybody who’s adopted him through the years. However that message didn’t win in 2017 or 2021 or 2023, and it’s unlikely to work by itself in 2025. One thing completely different is required. That doesn’t imply he ought to abandon his ideas, nevertheless it does imply increasing his platform. What does he wish to accomplish over the following 4 years? What contemporary concepts can he deliver to site visitors, recreation, financial growth, or high quality of life? 

Carry Folks Collectively

To win a citywide election, Imker has to construct a coalition past his base. Which means reaching out to voters who could not determine as conservative or who might need been turned off by his previous rhetoric. He must be a critical, unifying chief who’s able to representing all the metropolis, not simply those that already agree with him (as a result of clearly, that base alone hasn’t been sufficient to get him previous 50%). He wants a extra inclusive tone and a give attention to shared targets voters can assist. That stated, as this current Fb submit—together with many related ones—makes clear, he has a protracted technique to go if he needs to perform this:

Be Seen

One other essential shift Imker may make is to show the “Phantom Candidate” moniker mistaken. He must meaningfully take part in public conferences and have interaction with native points. He has had alternatives to do this however dropped the ball. For instance, he took to Fb in late February to criticize metropolis workers salaries as being too excessive, however then he supplied no actual follow-up or management on the matter that translated offline. If he needs to be taken severely as a candidate, he wants to point out he’s concerned, not simply when it’s politically handy. This window could have already closed for 2025, however there’s nonetheless time to regain floor by being engaged proper now.

What’s Subsequent For You?

With the mayoral discipline now taking form and council races starting to emerge, Peachtree Metropolis is heading into what may very well be an lively election season. Within the months forward, residents can have loads of alternatives to listen to immediately from the candidates, interact at public conferences, and ask the sorts of questions that matter to them. If you happen to care in regards to the path of our metropolis, now’s the time to begin paying consideration.

There’s additionally nonetheless time to become involved in a extra direct approach. The qualifying interval to declare your candidacy is open via 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 22. If you happen to’ve bought concepts, vitality, and a need to serve, contemplate stepping up (particularly for the currently-open Submit 4 seat). 

Election Day is November 4, 2025. Between from time to time, I’ll proceed following the candidates, monitoring developments, and doing my finest to deliver readability to what’s at stake. Till then, keep knowledgeable, keep engaged, and hold enthusiastic about the sort of management Peachtree Metropolis deserves.