Battleground: Ballot Box | A conversation with McDonough's new ...

Staff Directory • Sandra Vincent

Sandra Vincent is from Cocoa Beach, Florida. She has a bachelor degree in political science at Tuskegee University. She lives with her 4 daughters in McDonough.

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Madam Mayor – Black Women Unmuted

Sandra has experience working in federal and local government positions, including as a project officer with the Metropolitan Atlanta Health Services Planning Council. 

Interview #94: McDonough, GA Councilwoman Sandra Vincent (with ...

Sandra currently serves as the mayor of McDonough. She was elected in 2021 and is serving her first term. Before becoming mayor, she served on the McDonough City Council for 16 years.

Blackwomenmuted

As mayor, conducted anonymous surveys to identify issues such as inadequate pay, outdated technology, and lack of training.

As mayor, conducted anonymous surveys to understand staff concerns, which revealed  issues such as inadequate pay, outdated technology, and lack of training.

- As mayor, conducted anonymous surveys to understand staff concerns, which revealed  issues such as inadequate pay, outdated technology, and lack of training.

Economy

Supports the use of data and technology to improve city services.

Centered her 2021 campaign on a "good governance" platform focused on boosting citizen engagement, using data and technology to modernize the city, and implementing policies that promote unity among officials.

Supports historic preservation and downtown revitalization.

Plans to implement policies and procedures that would establish how her government would function in the future.

Advocates for policies and procedures that establish how the government will operate in the present and future.

Believes the government is no longer being run in an organized manner.

Said in 2024, the government is no longer being run in an organized manner, saying “It just felt like we were making things up as we went along, and nothing has really changed.” 

Believes in clear communication from city officials to the public to avoid confusion due to changes in polling locations and voting procedures.

- Centered her 2021 campaign on a "good governance" platform focused on boosting citizen engagement, using data and technology to modernize the city, and implementing policies that promote unity among officials.
- Supports protecting local history.
- Advocates for policies and procedures that establish how the government will operate in the present and future.
- Said in 2024, the government is no longer being run in an organized manner, saying “It just felt like we were making things up as we went along, and nothing has really changed.” 
- Believes in clear communication from city officials to the public to avoid confusion due to changes in polling locations and voting procedures.
- Prioritizes citizen engagement.

Public Services

- Wants to revitalize the downtown area. 

Housing & Urban Development

As of September 3, 2025, Sandra Vincent did not have a website or any information online.

Public Safety

Advocates for stronger infrastructure to address traffic and road issues.

Supports the creation of public transit systems.

Supported the development of the Henry Connect Microtransit system despite public backlash. 

- Advocates for stronger infrastructure to address traffic and road issues.
- Supported the development of the Henry Connect Microtransit system despite public backlash. 

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Sandra Vincent

Sandra Vincent is from Florida. She has a bachelor of arts in political science and government from the University of Georgia. She lives with her four daughters in McDonough.

Sandra is currently the mayor of McDonough. She was elected in 2021 and is serving her first term. Before becoming mayor, she served on the McDonough City Council for 16 years.

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Staff Directory • Kamali Varner

Kamali "Kam" Varner is from McDonough. She has a degree in organizational leadership from Point University and a master's degree in public administration from Point University. She attends Shiloh Baptist Church and is a board member at Youth Leadership Henry. 

Kamali works for the Henry County's Sheriff's Office, where she is a sheriff processing coordinator.

Kamali currently serves as a member of the McDonough City Council, representing District 4. She was first elected in 2019 and is serving her second term. 

Candidate website

Supports and aims to grow McDonough’s small businesses.

Supports McDonough’s small businesses and their growth. 

Supports creating new jobs and opportunities for working families.

Plans to create more jobs and opportunities for working families.

Believes in keeping more money local to strengthen the economy.

- Supports McDonough’s small businesses and their growth. 
- Plans to create more jobs and opportunities for working families.
- Believes in keeping more money local to strengthen the economy.

Believes in collaborating with nonprofits and churches to address homelessness.

Plans to work with nonprofits and churches to address homelessness.

Supports expanding recreation and youth programs for all ages.

Plans to expand recreation and youth programs for all ages.

- Plans to work with nonprofits and churches to address homelessness.
- Plans to expand recreation and youth programs for all ages.

As of September 3, 2025, Kamali "Kam" Varner’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes in strengthening partnerships between law enforcement and the community to enhance public safety.

Wants stronger partnerships between law enforcement and the community. 

Believes in ensuring first responders have the tools to maintain neighborhood safety.

Believes in ensuring first responders have enough resources for neighborhood safety.

Believes in maintaining cleanliness and safety in public spaces, parks, and neighborhoods.

Wants to ensure public spaces, parks, and neighborhoods are clean and safe. 

- Wants stronger partnerships between law enforcement and the community. 
- Believes in ensuring first responders have enough resources for neighborhood safety.
- Wants to ensure public spaces, parks, and neighborhoods are clean and safe. 

Supports repairing and maintaining roads, sidewalks, and intersections.

Believes in planning "smart growth" to manage McDonough’s future.

Believes in planning "smart growth" to manage the city's future.

Believes in investing in solutions to ease traffic and improve daily commutes.

Plans to invest in solutions to ease traffic and improve daily commutes.

- Supports repairing and maintaining roads, sidewalks, and intersections.
- Believes in planning "smart growth" to manage the city's future.
- Plans to invest in solutions to ease traffic and improve daily commutes.

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Kamali "Kam" Varner

Kamali "Kam" Varner is from McDonough. She has a degree in organizational leadership. She attends Shiloh Baptist Church.

Kamali is currently a member of the McDonough City Council, representing District 4. She is on her second term, having been first elected in 2019.

As of September 3, 2025, Kamali "Kam" Varner did not have a website or any information online.

Walter Ley

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor runs the city day to day and prepares the budget each year, meaning that they propose how much funding goes to each city department, including the police department, city parks, transportation, and the fire department. 
- The mayor also hires the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and city department heads, such as City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation. 
- Most Georgia mayors are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 