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Cobb County Special Election: Low Turnout, High Stakes in District 2 Race

Cobb Early Voting

Early voting in the special primary election for the District 2 and District 4 seats on the Cobb County Board of Commissioners is off to a sluggish start. As of February 4, 2025, only 856 voters had cast a ballot in either race.

Cobb County Commissioner District Map

According to the Cobb Board of Elections website, early voting continues through February 7.

In the Cobb County Commission District 2 race, the Democratic ballot features four candidates with this being the only item on the ballot. (View sample ballot)

The list of candidates includes former state house member Erick Allen. Born in 1975, Allen represented Cobb voters in District 40 for two terms before running for Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor. An outspoken critic of local government at times, Allen received less than 10% of the vote in his statewide race, finishing a distant fifth. According to campaign finance disclosures, Allen appears to be the best-funded candidate with over $24,000 on hand as of the most recent filing date. Link

Another candidate in the race is Jaha Howard. Like Erick Allen, Howard also ran a statewide race in 2024 for Georgia’s School Superintendent, where he suffered a decisive defeat, receiving only 15% of the Democratic primary vote and failing to carry precincts from his former school district.

Howard’s time on the Cobb School Board is remembered for numerous controversial moments, including kneeling during the Pledge of Allegiance and initiating a review of Cobb’s accreditation status, raising questions about whether he truly represents the community’s values.

Howard’s campaign disclosures reveal a lackluster level of financial support. His family and dentistry business donated $9,900, while his political consultant provided $3,300 in “in-kind” services. Additionally, three individuals associated with Branch Properties in Atlanta contributed another $9,900. These few donations account for $23,100 of the $24,893 reported in his most recent filing.

Two political newcomers, Tracy Stevenson and Taniesha Whorton, are also on the ballot. (Editor’s note: While Whorton’s name will appear on the ballot, she has indicated she is no longer running.)

Stevenson’s financial report shows a net balance of $6,674.27 in cash on hand, positioning him as the outsider. His campaign has embraced this status as part of its message. On his campaign website, Stevenson emphasizes a “People First” theme and pledges not to accept money from developers—unlike Allen and Howard, who have received $13,200 and $9,900 from developer-related sources, respectively.

Records show that individuals associated with Branch Properties donated to both the Allen and Howard campaigns, prompting one observer to remark, “I guess you can’t lose if you bet on every horse in the Kentucky Derby.”

Whoever emerges victorious from the Democratic special primary will face Republican Alicia Adams in the April 29, 2025, Special General Election.

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