LaKeisha Gantt

LaKeisha Gantt, former candidate for mayor and member of the ACC Board of Education for District 7

2019 – 2026

Dr. LaKeisha Gantt represented Timothy Road, Kingswood and West Lake Drive areas on the ACC Board of Education until the end of 2026. Gantt ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Athens-Clarke County in 2026.

ganttl@clarke.k12.ga.us
info@lakeishaforathens.com
706-207-2002

Signature Issues

Community uplift – During her 2026 campaign for mayor, Gantt said that her focus in office would be the collective uplift of the community, such as making Athens a place that “everyone can afford.” She wanted to raise wages for city employees, to improve access to mental health and substance abuse services, to provide more opportunity for small businesses (especially for minority- and veteran-owned businesses) and to improve “recreation and enrichment for young people and their families.”

Opposition to student housing – “We have a problem with student housing,” Gantt said at the AthChat debate on February 7. “The more student housing we build, the more implications that has for our community. Taxes go up. Neighborhoods are impacted.” In December 2025, Gantt voted against a quit-claim deed that was necessary for the Core Spaces student development near Lay Park to move forward.

Experience and Education

Gantt served on the ACC Board of Education from 2019 to 2026 and was president of the body from 2019 to 2024. During that time, she was a strong supporter of controversial former superintendent Demond Means. She holds a master’s degree in community counseling and a PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Georgia.

Interviews and Media

Political Affiliation

Gantt votes exclusively in Democratic primaries and identifies as a Democrat.

Election Results