Burnette To Decide 'Soon' on Suwanee Mayoral Run

Suwanee City Council member Jimmy Burnette said that he will decide "soon" on whether to run for mayor in November.

The longtime city government figure has been pondering the move for months. The position is wide-open this year because Mayor Dave Williams does not intend to seek re-election.

Burnette recently began seeking support from other local leaders for such a run. State Rep. Josh Clark of Buford, whose district includes Suwanee, was among those Burnette contacted, seeking an endorsement. "I'm staying neutral," Clark said recently.

If Burnette, a member of a very old Suwanee family, runs for the top spot, he likely will face no opposition from within City Hall. Williams is heavily involved as VP/Transportation for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Pro Tem Jace Brooks and Council Member Dick Goodman also say they do not intend to seek the mayor post.

Burnette is Suwanee's longest-serving council member, having been on the panel since 1996. He also is the city's delegate to the Gwinnett Municipal Association, making him known to elected leaders in other area cities and knowledgeable about their affairs.

Should Burnette seek the top job, he would not be able to run again for his council seat, which also will be on the November ballot. He made it clear Thursday, though, that he will run for mayor or council and not give up elected politics.

The council post currently held by Goodman also comes up for re-election, and Goodman said he intends to run again. In Suwanee, council posts are "at-large," meaning they are not tied to a geographic area of the city.

Qualifying officially opens for the November election on Monday, Aug. 29, at 8:30 a.m. Mayor candidates have to pay a $450 fee; anyone seeking a council post has to pay $270, according to Elvira Rogers, city clerk.