McDonald Resigns To Run For State House (UPDATED)

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SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- The Sandy Springs City Council is short one member.

That's because District 3 City Councilman Graham McDonald resigned from the post to qualify to run in the May 24 Republican primary for the State House District 52 seat.

McDonald, along with Sandy Springs resident and attorney Deborah Silcox, are both challenging incumbent State Rep. Joe Wilkinson in the upcoming primary.

Sandy Springs spokesperson Sharon Kraun said the City Council is expected to pass a resolution at its April 5 meeting to call for a special election to fill the seat.

City code calls for holding a special election when more than 12 months are left in an unexpired term.

Sandy Springs will utilize the Fulton County’s Department of Registration & Elections to run the election, Kraun added.

In a note written to his constituents on Monday, McDonald said Mayor Rusty has vowed to support his campaign. 

"During the four years of my service in city government (both on City Council and as vice chairman of the Economic Development Advisory Committee), I have endeavored to be an in-touch public servant," he wrote in a statement. "I have worked hard to best represent your voice, to connect with each of you as often as possible through frequent email communications; phone calls and meetings with individuals, organizations, and neighborhood associations; and regular attendance at public meetings. I hope to bring that same level of in-touch service to you as state representative."

McDonald stressed to Sandy Springs residents that he is not running against Wilkinson.

"Representative Wilkinson is a fine and civic spirited man," he added. "The most difficult aspect of my decision to run was that it would place us as contenders in the same election. Ultimately, I chose to run because a broad range of leadership in our community urged me to bring new energy to this legislative seat. I am mindful that no seat in government is any one person’s; it is the community’s."

McDonald stated that he wants to bring "Sandy Springs solutions" to state government. He noted the city's public-private model of government can be used to help come up with "innovative solutions to the transportation and traffic challenges that confront us everyday."

He also stated the city's track record of fiscal prudence and "sound management provides valuable lessons for managing the budget of a growing state."

"The job of a state representative is to represent the community by connecting with its citizens, by seeking out their ideas and by leading in presenting original solutions," McDonald said. "This district is one of the most talented in Georgia. I have witnessed firsthand how the collective talent and determination of our Sandy Springs neighbors has established us as one of the most prosperous communities in the United States, as well as one of the most prudently managed."

McDonald, co-founder of the O'Daniel McDonald LLC law firm, was first elected to the City Council in 2013. According to his biography on his law firm's website, McDonald previously as vice chair of the city's Economic Development Advisory Committee and board of director of the State Bar of Georgia's Young Lawyers Division.

He's also a member of the Sandy Springs Bar Association and Leadership Sandy Springs board of directors. McDonald obtained his bachelor's degree in 2002 from the University of Virginia and his law degree in 2006 from the Georgia State University College of Law, his biography states.

He and wife, Kelly, have two children.

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Image via city of Sandy Springs