Dexter Fisher elected as Athens’s first black mayor in runoff

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Current Athens-Clarke County Commissioner Dexter Fisher defeated former commissioner Tim Denson with 52.8 percent of the vote in a primary runoff on Tuesday, making history as Athens’s first black mayor.

Fisher will take office in January 2027, replacing longtime mayor Kelly Girtz.

“I remain committed to being a voice for all residents and to leading with integrity, transparency, and a dedication to moving Athens forward together,” the mayor-elect said in a Facebook post.

Fisher previously served as director of facilities management at the University of Georgia for over 31 years.