2015 Election Analysis: Ernst Likely to Become Brookhaven's Next Mayor

(Note: These predictions for next Tuesday’s Brookhaven municipal elections are in no way an endorsement of the candidates by Patch or the author.)

Brookhaven voters go to the polls next Tuesday, Nov. 3, to choose the city’s third mayor in less than three years, as well as elect a District 1 commissioner.

Analysis -- Mayor’s race

Incumbent Mayor Rebecca Chase Williams is not running, dropping out of the race a few days after qualifying for personal reasons. Williams had already drawn two challengers, and the election likely would have turned out to be a close contest had she remained in. As it is, nothing stands in the way of John Ernst becoming the city’s next mayor.

Ernst is well financed; his war chest of more than $50,000 dwarfs that of the other candidate, Dale Boone’s, of $4,000, according to figures from the Reporter Newspapers.

Ernst has major name recognition from his tenure as head of the DeKalb Ethics Board. Ernst resigned that position after the board failed to enact any significant punishments on Commissioner Stan Watson after he was found guilty of three ethics violations, reports WABE.

Ernst has also picked up significant endorsements from several local officials, including DeKalb District 1 commissioner Nancy Jester and Brookhaven city councilman John Park, whose district 2 is home to several neighborhoods that were opposed to whole cityhood movement several years ago.

For his part, Boone has failed to pick up any endorsements and has not engaged in any campaign mailings. His only name recognition comes from his days as a so-called “professional eater,” a celebrity status that has seemingly not carried over into this political campaign.

At a time in which Brookhaven struggles to overcome several months of embarrassing episodes and political infighting among its officials and employees, Ernst’s campaign is built on a message of clean government and strong ethics. That should be enough to allow him to cruise to an easy election-night victory.

District 1:

• Incumbent: Linley Jones
• Challenger: Eve Erdogan

Jones was appointed by Williams to fill out her unexpired District 1 term after Williams assumed the big chair from former mayor J. Max Davis. Jones was heavily involved in the Brookhaven cityhood movement, and has the support of Williams, who remains popular in the district.

Erdogan is executive VP and COO of A.C.T. Investments, a multi-family housing and real estate investment firm. Like the mayor’s race, there is a vast gap between the fundraising efforts of the two candidates. Jones has raised more than $42,000, dwarfing Erdogan’s $8,000.

That gap, coupled with Jones’ high profile that has been culled from her years of involvement in Brookhaven’s governmental efforts, will likely win her a full term on the city council.

Stay with Brookhaven Patch on election night for live results, as we continue to bring you the best political coverage for our community.