Erin Braden, a member of several boards in the city and a “Hometown Hero,” will run for City Commission District 1.

The incumbent for that seat, Scott Drake, will not seek reelection.

“I am running because I care passionately about Decatur and the health and vibrancy of our city,” Braden said in her campaign announcement. “As a longtime active community leader, I believe I can best serve our community by putting my knowledge and experiences to work as a Decatur City Commissioner.”

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Her civic resume is extensive. She’s on the City’s Better Together Advisory Board, the Decatur Education Foundation Board, Coalition for a Diverse Decatur, and Decatur Dinners Design Team.

“As part of her community service, Erin has served as Chair of the Decatur Education Foundation, President of the Glennwood Estates Neighborhood Association, Chair of the Glennwood School Leadership Team, Co-President of the 4/5 Academy at Fifth Avenue PTO, and Chair of DHS 101 and the Decatur Holiday Marketplace at Clairemont Elementary,” her campaign announcement says.

In 2008, she was named a Decatur Hometown Hero by the city and earned a Volunteer Service Award for her work as a Girl Scout troop leader.

“She is active in the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany and serves as a mentor for Epiphany’s refugee resettlement program as well as the REACH Scholarship program through the Decatur Education Foundation,” her campaign announcement says.

If you’re interested in running for City Commission this year, qualifying information is included at the end of this story. If you have a campaign announcement for Decatur, Avondale Estates or Tucker, send it to [email protected].

Here is Braden’s full campaign announcement.

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Erin Braden to Run for Decatur City Commission, District 1 Seat

Election Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Longtime community leader Erin Braden, a resident of Glennwood Estates, has announced her candidacy for the District 1 post in the 2019 election for Decatur City Commission.

 “I am running because I care passionately about Decatur and the health and vibrancy of our city,” Braden says. “As a longtime active community leader, I believe I can best serve our community by putting my knowledge and experiences to work as a Decatur City Commissioner.”

I have several areas of interest and concern, but these are top priority. I look forward to hearing your concerns and hopes for the City and the Commission.

– Promoting sustainable, managed growth

– Exploring and expanding affordable housing options

– Maximizing the value of every tax dollar

– Strengthening community engagement and diversity

Erin currently serves as a member of the City’s Better Together Advisory Board, the Decatur Education Foundation Board, Coalition for a Diverse Decatur, and Decatur Dinners Design Team. As part of her community service, Erin has served as Chair of the Decatur Education Foundation, President of the Glennwood Estates Neighborhood Association, Chair of the Glennwood School Leadership Team, Co-President of the 4/5 Academy at Fifth Avenue PTO, and Chair of DHS 101 and the Decatur Holiday Marketplace at Clairemont Elementary.

Erin was named a Decatur Hometown Hero in 2008 and received the Volunteer Service Award as a Girl Scout troop leader in Decatur. She is active in the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany and serves as a mentor for Epiphany’s refugee resettlement program as well as the REACH Scholarship program through the Decatur Education Foundation.

Erin received her Master’s in International Economics and Asian Studies from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and has a background in project management and strategic planning. She has lived in Glennwood Estates since 2003 with her husband and two children.

 “I support collaborative planning in order to find common ground that will promote both progress and a greater quality of life for our entire community,” Braden says. “I will work to ensure that all voices are heard in the decisions that impact our community. Over the coming weeks, I look forward to meeting and listening to the ideas and concerns of Decatur residents. Together, we can continue to make Decatur a welcoming, inclusive and equitable city for all.”

Here’s information on how to qualify to run for office in the city of Decatur:

The Decatur City Commission officially announces the Call for the City’s General Election to be held in the City of Decatur, Georgia, on November 5, 2019 for three Decatur Board of Education members for four year terms of office, and three City of Decatur Commissioners for four year terms, such terms to begin at the organizational meeting in January 2020.

One City Commissioner from Election District 1, Post B

One City Commissioner from Election District 2, Post B

One City Commissioner from Election District at Large

One Decatur Board of Education member from Election District 1, Post B

One Decatur Board of Education member from Election District 2, Post B

One Decatur Board of Education member, At-Large (Editor’s note: The election for this seat will be to finish Annie Caiola’s term. The winner of this election will have to run for another four-year term after serving a short two-year term.)

DeKalb County will conduct this election at the following proposed precincts.

Note: precincts are subject to change.

Election District        District :         Polling Place for Election

Clairemont East               1                 : First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave

Clairemont West              1                 : The Church at Decatur Heights, 735 Sycamore Drive

Glenwood Precinct          1&2            : Holy Trinity Parish, 515 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.

Oakhurst                          2                 : Oakhurst Baptist Church, 222 E. Lake Dr.

Ponce De Leon              1&2              : First Christain Church of Decatur, 601 W. Ponce de Leon Ave

Renfroe                             2                : Renfroe Middle School, 220 W. College Ave.

Winnona Park                   2                : Winnona Park Elementary School, 510 Avery St.

Each candidate will file notice of his or her candidacy and the appropriate affidavit in the office of the Election Superintendent at City Hall, 509 North McDonough Street, Decatur, Georgia.  The opening dates for qualifying will start Monday, August 19, 2019 beginning at 8:30 A.M., and continuing until Wednesday August 21, 2019 at 4:30 P.M. The qualifying fee for City Commission office is $360.00 and the qualifying fee for Board of Education members is $35.00.

Registration for voting in the November 5, 2019 election will cut off on Tuesday, October 7, 2019.

For the November 5, 2019 General Municipal Election, the Absentee Poll will open 22 days prior to the Election

(October 14, 2019).  All Advance Voting (Absentee in person) will be held at 4380 Memorial Drive, Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., October 15, 2019 through November 1, 2019.  Questions concerning absentee voting, early voting or voter registration should be directed to DeKalb County Elections Division at 404-298-4020.

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