Primary Ballots: Culpepper almost always takes Republican primary ballots, but not exclusively. Donations: Culpepper donated $525 to Brian Kemp (R) in 2021, $500 to Houston Gaines (R) in 2020, $750 to Brian Kemp (R) in 2017 / 2018 and $500 to Charlie Bailey (D) in 2018. Inferred Party: Republican
During the 2022 election, Culpepper was officially “recommended” by Athens Classic, an Athens Clean and Safe PAC partner organization.
Signature Issues
On his 2022 campaign website, Culpepper focused on fighting crime, reducing traffic, investing in infrastructure, preventing homelessness and improving public education in Athens. In office, he has been mostly disengaged and decided not to run for another term.
Approve student apartments near Lay Park: YES Extend the ban on new data centers: YES Approve the future land use map: absent Regulate data centers: absent 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: YES Delay racial justice resolution: YES Approve “The Shoals” housing development: absent Speak out against dissolving the ACC Board of Elections: NO Allow the demolition of the Saye building: YES Reject / proclaim support for racial equity and economic justice: YES / 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: recusal Raise the Stormwater Fee: YES Approve the Leisure Services Master Plan: NO Regulate Short-Term Rentals: YES Block Townhomes in Green Acres: absent Approve Low-Barrier Homeless Shelter: YES Overturn Restrictions on Public Comment: absent Fund Athens Achieves: YES Approve FY 2025 Budget: NO Approve Workforce Development Plan: recusal 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: NO Urge State 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
John Culpepper – 55.0%