2026 Georgia General Election

She graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree, having studied painting and business.

“Since then, I have worked as a substitute teacher and started my apparel and design business, JTK Supply Company,” Keehner said.

Loletta Donaldson-Elliott joins race for Statesboro City Council District 2

She graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree, having studied painting and business.

“Since then, I have worked as a substitute teacher and started my apparel and design business, JTK Supply Company,” Keehner said. “I am also a mother to a 9-month-old boy named Jayden, which is the full-time job I am most proud of. “I would like to serve on the city council to contribute to our community's growth and help ensure a thriving, supportive environment for all families in our district,” she concluded.

Kathleen Keehner earned a bachelor's degree in painting and business from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2023. She has one child.

Qualifying days yield a 3-candidate race for City Council District 2 seat

Kathleen Keehner has worked as a substitute teacher and started JTK Supply Company, an apparel and design business.

“I am 25 years old and have never run for public office before, but I am deeply passionate about securing a prosperous future for the next generation and building a strong community,” Keehner said in an email, replying to some basic questions from the Statesboro Herald.

Kathleen's campaign for City Council Member is her first run for public office.

As of October 4, 2026, Kathleen Keehner did not have a website or any information online.

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Kathleen Keehner

As of October 4, 2026, Kathleen Keehner’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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“I have lived in District 2 my entire life,” wrote Donaldson-Elliott, who’s 48. “It's the community I was raised in and have always called home.”

This is her first time running for an elected, public office.

The reporter didn’t actually ask about candidates’ education, but picked it up in some way from each one, such as a brief biography Donaldson-Elliott sent. She is a graduate of Statesboro High School, Ogeechee Technical College and Swainsboro Technical College.

Second, the candidates were asked what they do or have done, by way of a career or business.

“I'm a partner at Gayla's Gifts of Beauty, a healthcare professional, and co-manager of Bigma's Restaurant,” she wrote. “I'm also a wife, mother, and grandmother, and a member of Historical First African Baptist Church, where I teach youth Sunday school and serve as Youth Choir Director.”

Loletta Donaldson-Elliott was raised in District 2, where she has lived her entire life. She graduated from Statesboro High School, Ogeechee Technical College, and Swainsboro Technical College. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother, and is a member of Historical First African Baptist Church, where she teaches youth Sunday school and serves as Youth Choir Director.

Loletta is a partner at Gayla's Gifts of Beauty, works as a healthcare professional, and is co-manager of Bigma's Restaurant.

Loletta is running for elected public office for the first time.

Donaldson-Elliott said, "I want to advocate for greater investment by the city in youth development, affordable housing and housing rehabilitation, and work to bring in more, better-paying jobs for families. Above all, I want to be an unwavering voice for the people of District 2."

Candidates qualify for vacant Statesboro City Council seat - AOL

Wants to bring more jobs with better pay for families.

- Wants to bring more jobs with better pay for families.

Advocates for greater city investment in youth development.

- Advocates for greater city investment in youth development.

Advocates for greater city investment in affordable housing and housing rehabilitation.

- Advocates for greater city investment in affordable housing and housing rehabilitation.

As of October 4, 2026, Loletta Donaldson-Elliott did not have a website or any information online.

Loletta Donaldson-Elliott

As of October 4, 2026, Loletta Donaldson-Elliott’s website did not contain information on this issue.

He moved to Statesboro in 2018, so almost eight years ago, and has been a resident of District 2 for four years.

Maleek Jones, 32, qualified as a candidate Thursday morning. He works for Georgia Southern University as a lead success coach in the Academic Success Center, and notes that he’s a “double Eagle,” having obtained both a master’s degree in social science with a concentration in political science and a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Georgia Southern.

“We live in District 2 and started a family there, raising kids there,” Jones said on the phone. “So all around I’m a family man, looking to hear what District 2 desires and be a representative for their voice.”

Maleek Jones moved to Statesboro in 2018. He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in social science, with a concentration in political science, from Georgia Southern University. He has children.

Loletta Donaldson-Elliott joins race for Statesboro City Council ...

MALEEK JONES
Success Coach II
mjones@georgiasouthern.edu
Henderson Library, Suite 1303
Statesboro Campus

Meet Our Team – Academic Success Center - Georgia Southern University

Maleek Jones works as a success coach at Georgia Southern University's Academic Success Center.

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Additionally, a Statesboro city special election is being held in concurrence with the county and state election, but the nonpartisan city race will appear only on ballots of voters who reside in Statesboro Council District 2. Loletta Donaldson-Elliott, Maleek Jones and Kathleen Keehner are all first-time candidates vying for the vacant, District 2 council seat.

Of course, voters who have already taken part in an election in Bulloch County this year — such as the May primary — and haven't moved are already registered voters, and those who voted here in the last few years would still be registered.

Voter registration deadline Monday, Oct. 5, for Nov. 3 general election

Maleek's campaign for the Statesboro City Council District 2 seat was his first run for public office.

Maleek's campaign for the Statesboro City Council District 2 seat is his first run for public office.

As of October 4, 2026, Maleek Jones did not have a website or any information online.

Maleek Jones qualified for the vacancy Thursday.

Maleek Jones

Jones said he is raising a family in the same district he is now running to represent.
"I want District 2 to have a strong voice in how Statesboro grows, spends money, and protects the quality of life of the people who call it home," Jones said in an email Thursday. "The timing is especially important: there are big decisions to be made (i.e., the new police chief)...I look forward to reviewing Statesboro's current comprehensive plan and budget information and guiding the city in a direction that will be healthy for both established and young growing families like my own."

Wants District 2 residents to have a strong voice in city growth and spending decisions.

- Wants District 2 residents to have a strong voice in city growth and spending decisions.

Maleek Jones

As of October 4, 2026, Maleek Jones’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Maleek Jones has a family and is raising children.

Maleek Jones currently works as a Success Coach Lead at Georgia Southern University.

Maleek's campaign for Statesboro City Council Member, District 2, is his first run for public office.

Maleek Jones earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in social science, with a concentration in political science, from Georgia Southern University. He has a family and is raising children.

Maleek Jones works as a lead success coach in the Academic Success Center at Georgia Southern University.

Maleek is a first-time candidate for the vacant District 2 council seat.

- City council members work together with the rest of city council to set and implement city policy. 
- City council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Most city council members in Georgia are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 

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Statesboro City Council Member, District 2

Candidates (3)