James Shepherd is from Newnan, Georgia. He has a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Georgia and a Juris Doctor degree from Columbia Law School. He lives with his wife, Shannon, and their child in Historic Downtown. He attends Newnan First Methodist.

James is a corporate attorney. He previously worked as a management consultant for several Fortune 500 companies. He also founded his own software company that helped farmers get their products to market. 

Shepherd promoting change through housing | News | times-herald ...

James previously ran for the Newnan City Council in 2023 but did not win.

Supports auditing city spending to identify wasteful programs.

Supports cutting unnecessary expenses and reinvesting in services that matter to residents.

Supports "cutting unnecessary expenses and reinvesting in services that matter to residents."

Supports providing transparency and accountability in government spending.

Supports "transparency and accountability" in government spending.

Promises to make decisions based on whether it makes the city more affordable for citizens.

- Supports auditing city spending to identify wasteful programs.
- Supports "cutting unnecessary expenses and reinvesting in services that matter to residents."
- Supports "transparency and accountability" in government spending.
- Promises to make decisions based on whether it makes the city more affordable for citizens.

Economy

As of November 12, 2025, James Shepherd’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Supports lowering taxes for homeowners by making developers pay the full cost of new growth.

Supports cutting zoning regulations so homeowners "have the freedom to build on [their] own property."

Supports ending developer subsidies by implementing impact fees.

Supports measures to discourage empty strip malls and abandoned buildings.

Supports measures to "discourage empty strip malls and abandoned buildings."

Supports overhauling the city zoning ordinance to limit large development projects and encourage affordable housing.

Supports building more smaller-footprint houses and making it easier to build in-law suites or cottages on homeowners' property.

- Supports lowering taxes for homeowners by making developers pay the full cost of new growth.
- Supports cutting zoning regulations so homeowners "have the freedom to build on [their] own property."
- Supports ending developer subsidies by implementing impact fees.
- Supports measures to "discourage empty strip malls and abandoned buildings."
- Supports overhauling the city zoning ordinance to limit large development projects and encourage affordable housing.
- Supports building more smaller-footprint houses and making it easier to build in-law suites or cottages on homeowners' property.

Housing & Urban Development

Believes public safety extends beyond emergency services, advocating for zoning code changes to create safer streets and play areas for children, reducing accidents and allowing first responders to focus on "real emergencies."

Advocates for zoning code changes to create safer streets and play areas for children, reducing accidents and allowing first responders to focus on "real emergencies."

Supports developing housing benefits for first responders.

- Advocates for zoning code changes to create safer streets and play areas for children, reducing accidents and allowing first responders to focus on "real emergencies."
- Supports developing housing benefits for first responders.

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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James Shepherd

- 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. 