Candidate Disqualified From Running For Roswell Mayor

ROSWELL, GA -- The Fulton County District Attorney's Office has weighed in on whether one of five candidates running to become Roswell's next mayor is legally qualified to seek the office.

A letter dated Oct. 24 from District Attorney Paul Howard states that Sandra Sidhom "is not eligible" to hold the office of mayor because she has not lived in the city for one year prior to the date of the election, which is Nov. 7, 2017.

The challenge to Sidhom's residency came from Roswell resident Eric Schumacher, and the city notified the District Attorney's office of the challenge "so they could investigate it," said Roswell spokesperson Julie Brechbill.

In his letter, Howard said the investigation into whether Sidhom could be charged with false swearing remains active, however.

Sidhom, 25, is one of five candidates seeking to replace incumbent Mayor Jere Wood, who opted not to seek re-election following a judge's ruling that he, too, was disqualified from running for a fifth term in 2013 due to term limits imposed by the Georgia General Assembly.

When reached by phone Wednesday, Sidhom said she could not comment on the case, adding that her "hands are tied" until she completes her consultation with her attorneys.

"It’s a lot more complicated than something I can just talk about," she added.

In September, Sidhom filed a report with the Roswell Police Department, alleging that since August, she had been receiving "harassing emails" from a man making claims about her residency. According to the report released by Roswell police, Sidhom said the man, whom she identified to CBS 46 as Schumacher, told her that he will keep details of his investigation confidential if she withdraws from the race.

Schumacher said he filed a challenge to Sidhom's candidacy because he was concerned about the "integrity" of local elections.

"I do not know the details of what led the Fulton County DA to reach the determination," he added. "I am saddened that this has happened in our city. We've had more than enough mayoral drama and I feel badly for any lost votes."

Photo: Sandra Sidhom poses soon after she qualified to run for the office of mayor. Credit: Sandra Sidhom