Maria Boynton

Runoff Election candidates square off during a forum Wednesday night in Atlanta.

In the race for Fulton County Chairman, incumbent Robb Pitts and former Commissioner Mo Ivory had strong statements about each other.

Pitts was first elected to political office in 1976. He was elected as Chairman in 2017. Pitts thinks that experience matters, telling the forum audience, "This is about leadership. You do not turn a multi-billion dollar corporation over to somebody who quit the job, after 12 months on the job, that I brought to the job." Pitts added, “My counterparts across the country call me and ask me, ‘How are you able to do what you do for your citizens without raising taxes?’ That’s how I know that we’re doing such a great job.  This is not the time for on-the-job training. We are at war. Experience does matter.”

Ivory, sworn in as a Fulton County commissioner in January 2025, thinks new blood is necessary. “Chairman Pitts believes experience is measured by how long you’ve been there. I believe experience is measured by how quickly you can identify problems and how effectively you can solve them." Ivory also said “The question is not how long you have been there. The question is, what have you accomplished while you were there? Fulton County deserves leadership that pays attention, acts with urgency, and delivers results.”

The winner will face Republican Eric Tatum on November 3rd.

Other candidates participating were Georgia state Senator Josh McLaurin, seeking the office of Lt. Governor; candidates for GA Insurance Commissioner former state representative Keisha Waites and insurance agent and Navy veteran DeAndre Mathis; Secretary of State candidate Dana Barrett; and 5th District Fulton County Commission candidates Sojourner Grimmett and Helen Willis.

Runoff Election day is June 16th.

The forum was organized by the nonpartisan grassroots group Concerned Citizens Taking Pride in the Southwest Side, along with Georgia Stand-Up, The People’s Agenda, and The Ivy Community Foundation.

It was held at the Ivy Community Center on Stone Rd.

The moderators were award-winning journalists Monica Pearson and Audacy's Maria Boynton.