Primary Ballots: Mike Hamby usually takes Democratic primary ballots, but not exclusively. Previous Races: Ran for Mayor as a Republican in 1994. Donations: Donated to Douglas Haines (D) in 2003, Russell Edwards (D) in 2010, Houston Gaines (R) in 2017 and Charlie Bailey (D) in 2018. Fundraising: On the fundraising committee of Houston Gaines (R) in 2017.
Inferred Party: Seems to have switched from a Republican when he was young to a Democrat-leaning independent now.
Signature Policies
Budget Control: Mike Hamby is one of Athens’ most experienced and powerful local lawmakers who is typically prominent during budget discussions. Indeed, whenever a pot of money is in need of distribution, Hamby will be there making his voice heard, sometimes even drafting multi-million dollar compromises on the fly in the commission chamber.
Workforce and Economic Development: Hamby has supported business development, job training initiatives and also supports incentives for businesses to hire locally.
APN has found through open records request that Hamby made four calls to Athens’ Republican state delegation on January 6, the day the Republican commission redistricting map was released. Based on Senator Bill Cowsert’s comments on Tim Bryant’s radio show on January 7, these calls were likely made to thank the Republican delegation for the gerrymandered maps.
A record of the phone calls Commissioner Hamby made to the Republican state delegation.
Approve student apartments near Lay Park: YES Extend the ban on new data centers: YES Approve the future land use map: YES Regulate data centers: YES Approve North Avenue road diet: YES Build judicial center downtown: YES Start affordable housing trust fund: YES Approve FY 2027 budget: YES Authorize new sales tax referendum: YES Block ban on “urban camping”: NO Allow tiny houses: YES Keep accessory dwelling units banned: YES
Approve settlement with Charles Hardy: absent Delay racial justice resolution: YES Approve “The Shoals” housing development: YES Speak out against dissolving the ACC Board of Elections: YES Allow the demolition of the Saye building: YES Reject / proclaim support for racial equity and economic justice: NO / YES Approve roundabout at W. Hancock and W. Broad: YES Purchase electric vehicles: YES Approve Gaines School Road townhomes: NO Approve ADDA agreement allowing student apartments downtown: YES Approve FY2026 budget: YES Allow community garden for Triangle Plaza: YES Authorize fire station on Old Lexington Road: YES Moratorium on new data centers: YES Limit short-term rentals in multifamily zones: YES
Fund the Athens Homeless Coalition / Salvation Army: YES Raise the Stormwater Fee: YES Approve the Leisure Services Master Plan: NO Regulate Short-Term Rentals: YES Block Townhomes in Green Acres: YES Approve Low-Barrier Homeless Shelter: YES Overturn Restrictions on Public Comment: NO Fund Athens Achieves: YES Approve FY 2025 Budget: YES Approve Workforce Development Plan: YES Construct the Firefly Trail to Winterville: YES Living Wages for Neighborhood Leaders: NO Reallocate ARPA Funding: YES Block North Ave Roundabout & Road Diet: YES Reject Trash Franchising: YES Proclaim Athens as an LGBTQ+ Safe Haven: YES Urge Georgia Legislature to Allow Ranked Choice Voting: NO
Delay Barber Street Improvements: YES Approve Mall Redevelopment: YES Restart the Eviction Prevention Program: YES Recognize the Firefighter’s Union: YES Approve the FY 2024 Budget: NO, YES Ban Indoor Vaping: YES Start Delinquency Prevention Initiative: YES Place Public Safety Monitor in Auditor’s Office: YES Accept Affordable Housing Investment Strategy: YES Accept Plan to Reduce and Prevent Homelessness: YES Reject Pet Registration: YES Close First Step Encampment and Extend Hotel Voucher Program: YES
Approve TSPLOST 2023 Project List: YES Appoint Public Safety Oversight Board: YES Approve American Rescue Plan Framework: NO Raise Commissioner Salaries: NO Adopt Inclusionary Zoning Policy: YES Adopt Complete Streets Policy: YES Approve FY 2023 Budget: YES Celebrate Pride Month and Juneteenth: YES Approve 1010 Oglethorpe Avenue: NO Begin Prince Avenue Road Diet Pilot: YES Decriminalize Cannabis: YES Approve the 100% Clean Energy Plan: YES Create Homelessness Plan: YES Authorize Eminent Domain for Firefly Trail: NO Change Planning Department Work Plan: YES Recognize Firefighters’ Union: YES Allow Accessory Dwelling Units: NO Keep Three Lanes on Prince Avenue: YES
Approve Apartments Near Airport: NO Give Public Land for a New Parking Deck: NO Approve Apartments off Lexington Road: NO Approve Taser Contract: YES Approve Linnentown Resolution: YES Extend the Firefly Trail on original route: YES Fund Athens Eats Together: YES Delay Eviction Prevention: YES Approve FY 2022 Budget: NO Approve Official Homeless Camp: NO Establish Local Anti-Discrimination Protections: YES Mandate COVID-19 Vaccine for ACC Gov Employees: YES Install Downtown Public Restroom: NO Fund Non-Police Crisis Response Team: YES Change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day: absent Approve AFDC to Run Eviction Prevention Program: YES Establish a Law Enforcement Oversight Board: YES Establish a Human Relations Commission: YES Accept JAG Grant: YES Approve New Commission Districts: NO
Accept Agreement with the Classic Center: YES Support the Pre-Arrest Diversion Program: YES Start a Community Energy Fund: YES Declare State of Emergency, Banning Public Gatherings: YES Order Athenians to Shelter in Place: YES Urge Leniency for Rent and Mortgage Payments: YES Refuse to Pay Attorney Bryan Sells: NO Move Confederate Monument, Close College Square: YES Establish Goal of Reducing Police Funding: NO Adopt the FY 2021 Budget: YES Make Masks Mandatory: YES Resolve that Black lives matter: YES Delay BLM resolution: NO Start “parklet” pilot program: YES Ban rentable scooters: YES Establish West Downtown Historic District: YES (More information about 2020 votes)
Reconsider Designation of SPLOST Projects: YES Accept $250,000 Settlement with Taylor Saulters: YES FY2020 Goals and Objectives: YES Designate SPLOST Projects: YES Expand ACCPD Vehicle Program: YES Adopt the 100% Athens Resolution: YES End cash bail for local ordinance violations: YES Delay Bike Lanes on Hancock Ave: YES Remove Mention of Classic Center Arena from SPLOST 2020: NO Approve Final SPLOST 2020 List: YES Pass Along State Legislative Requests: YES Reorganize Animal Control: YES Approve the Neighborhood Leaders program: YES (More information about 2019 votes)
Fund Cedar Creek Solar Array: absent Move Work Sessions to City Hall: YES Redesign the Chase Street Corridor: YES Update County Anti-Discrimination Policy: YES Reject Concept Maps for Athens in Motion: YES Adopt the Athens in Motion plan: YES Protected Bike Lanes for Barnett Shoals: NO Delay the Designation of SPLOST Projects: NO (More information about 2018 votes)
Temporary Halt to Downtown Development: YES Consultant Selection for Bike / Ped Master Plan: YES TSPLOST project list and referendum: YES Re-zone Mitchell Street:YES (More information about 2017 votes)
“Road Diet” for Chase Street: YES Allow Sale of Growlers in Brewpubs: YES Fare-Free Bus Rides for K-12 Students: YES Downtown Anti-Discrimination Ordinance and Civil Rights Committee: YES (More information about 2016 votes)
Mike Hamby (incumbent) – 69.8%