Wright Enters November Roswell City Council Race

ROSWELL, GA -- After a contentious special election cycle in Roswell, all eyes are now focusing on the upcoming 2017 general election for three City Council seats as well as the office for mayor. One candidate who entered the fray for the Post 4 special election has decided he wants another shot at elected office.

Shawn Wright has announced his plans to run for one of the three Council seats up for re-election in November. Along with Mayor Jere Wood, the seats held by Jerry Orlans, Nancy Diamond and Lori Henry are up for re-election.

“It’s time for leaders to bridge the gap of our history with the future that lies before us,” Wright said. “Roswell has roots that run deep, steeped in charm and history. Honoring that history and bridging it with the future demands the willingness to push past the single issue divides resulting in gridlock to find creative and common sense solutions. As city councilman, I will seek input and collaborate with anyone and any group willing to come together and find common ground."

Shawn’s son Joshua Wright, who was at his father’s side throughout the campaign, said his father came "out of nowhere" during the special election cycle and received strong support.

"The fact that an average citizen who drives a beat up Honda minivan shocked many people like that serves as clear evidence that Roswell is ready for servant leaders with practical, realistic solutions," Joshua Wright added.

Wright said he plans to begin talking with Roswell residents, business owners and stakeholders about three issues he feels are important for the city to tackle: protecting Roswell’s historic charm, improving blighted areas and fixing our traffic woes by collaborating with others in the community create a 25-year traffic improvement plan.

Wright was one of four candidates who ran in the March 20 special election to fill the Post 4 seat vacated with the resignation of Kent Igleheart following his arrest on child sex charges. Wright did not advance to the runoff, which was subsequently won by Henry. Henry fills Igleheart's unexpired term, which ends Dec. 31.

Wright has already garnered support from local residents. One community leader, Claire Bartlett, said she's supporting Wright because she believes in the saying that past performance is the best predictor for future behavior.

"Shawn’s track record of leading through difficult situations, serving others before himself, and uniting people from many backgrounds for a common cause is the type of leadership we need in Roswell," Bartlett added. "During the special election, he came out of nowhere to give voice to hundreds of people, from many walks of life, and earned a lot of respect from Roswell citizens. Our city needs a person like Shawn in city government.”

Geoff Smith, another city resident and recent winner of the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year award, noted Wright has a history of service to others.

"I believe he is ready to serve our city with the same determination and level-headedness that made him successful serving everywhere before," Smith added.

Wright is employed as the eastern regional director for Elam Ministries, a religious-based nonprofit organization serving to expand Christianity in Iran. He served for seven years in the United States Air Force and lived in Europe during his tenure.

He participated in Operation Provide Comfort, which provided security and food for displaced Kurdish people following Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Wright also serves on the board for Roswell Assembly of God, a church with a congregation made up of more than 20 different nationalities.

Wright is also active in the Roswell baseball community and has coached or the Roswell Youth Baseball Association (RYBA) at all levels, in addition to serving as secretary of the RYBA Board of Directors.

Wright and his wife and fellow Air Force veteran, Jean, have three school-age children. Additionally, Wright has four grandchildren from his two adult children.

For more information, visit the campaign's Facebook page.

Image via Shawn Wright