The lone candidate — gay or otherwise — left standing in the District 6 race for the Atlanta City Council reached out to supporters of his former opponent in an open letter Thursday.
Steve Brodie, a gay business consultant, announced his campaign for the District 6 post on April 2 expecting a rematch with Anne Fauver, the lesbian who was seeking a third term. Fauver narrowly defeated Brodie in 2005.
But this week, Fauver surprised residents in the heavily-gay district with a letter announcing she’s not running after all. The third candidate in the race, DeKalb school teacher Charlie Stadtlander, dropped out when Brodie stepped in.
Brodie reached out to Fauver’s supporters with a statement posted on his Facebook page Thursday hoping to gain their backing in the event more candidates jump into the race. Qualifying isn’t until September.
I want to thank Anne Fauver for her many years of public service. Although we have disagreed on many issues, Anne has been a faithful public servant to District 6 and she deserves our gratitude. I understand the difficult choice she had to make in withdrawing her candidacy for Atlanta City Council, and I wish her the best in private life.
Brodie says running for the office requires “dedication, determination and focus” and touts his “fresh perspective” as a plus.
The text of Brodie’s “Open Letter to the Community”:
Dear Friends,
I want to thank Anne Fauver for her many years of public service. Although we have disagreed on many issues, Anne has been a faithful public servant to District 6 and she deserves our gratitude. I understand the difficult choice she had to make in withdrawing her candidacy for Atlanta City Council, and I wish her the best in private life.
Seeking office for City Council is not an easy endeavor; it requires dedication, determination and focus. Now is not the time to narrow our focus to the single issues of today, but to simultaneously secure a better future for Atlanta.
We need representation with a broad range of skills – financial foresight, coalition building, business awareness and overall perspective of Atlanta’s needs. We must immediately increase public safety, city services and accountability to the citizens, even as we focus on long-term issues like the Atlanta Beltline, urban growth and billions of dollars in city bonds.
There is so much to accomplish, and I know that we, as a community, can achieve these challenging goals. I am fully committed to public service and willing to put forth the full effort necessary to improve conditions today and secure a better quality of life for tomorrow. I know my years of experience and fresh perspective outside the establishment can benefit all of Atlanta, specifically District 6. I look forward speaking with all of you, gaining your support and earning your vote.
Sincerely,
Steve Brodie
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