All Alpharetta City Government Candidates Will Run Unopposed This Year

August 24, 2023
1 min read
ALPHARETTA -- The 2023 election for mayor and city council members in Alpharetta will see no candidates running opposed for the key city positions, as the qualifying period came to a close with only one candidate qualifying for each seat.

ALPHARETTA — The 2023 election for mayor and city council members in Alpharetta will see no candidates running opposed for the key city positions, as the qualifying period came to a close with only one candidate qualifying for each seat.

The qualifying period, a designated time during which individuals who reside in the city can declare their intention to run for office, was open from August 21 to 23. Qualifying is a crucial step in the electoral process, allowing eligible citizens to appear on the election ballot as a candidate for a specific office. It ensures the candidates meet all legal requirements and lays the groundwork for an organized election.

For Alpharetta, the qualifying period yielded the following results:

  • Mayor: Jim Gilvin (incumbent)
  • City Council Post 4: John Hipes (incumbent)
  • City Council Post 5: Fergal Brady
  • City Council Post 6: Dan Merkel (incumbent)

What it means: While unopposed city government races aren’t unheard of, they typically underscore either a community’s satisfaction with current leadership or its a lack of interest or engagement in local governance. With three incumbents running unopposed it is a strong indicator that Alpharetta residents are happy with their local government.


ALPHARETTA -- The 2023 election for mayor and city council members in Alpharetta will see no candidates running opposed for the key city positions, as the qualifying period came to a close with only one candidate qualifying for each seat.
Thom Chandler

Thom Chandler is the editor of The Georgia Sun and has been writing, editing and managing websites and blogs since 1995. He is a lifelong Georgian and one of those increasingly rare Atlanta natives.