Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman announced Wednesday, Feb. 12, that he will not be seeking re-election in November due to family medical emergencies.
Shipman was elected to helm the city council in 2021. The entire council and mayor are up for re-election in November.
“Recently my family has come to face significant medical challenges that will require me to focus time and effort on my most important responsibilities as a father, son, husband and brother,” Shipman said in a social media post.
“While I will continue to vigorously fulfill my duties to the end of my current term, I cannot in good faith ask the voters of Atlanta to elect me again. The City Council President role is a full one and my expectations and the expectations of the voters are ones I cannot fulfill for another four years. I will not be running for re-election.”
Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement his thoughts are with Shipman.
“My heart goes out to City Council President Doug Shipman, his wife and two young children,” Dickens said. “I’m asking that the entire city join me in prayer for the Shipman family. We will do whatever we can to provide support to our friend and colleague as he navigates this difficult time.”