Dontaye Carter Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Sandy Springs on MLK Weekend: Putting Working Families, First Responders, and Teachers First
Dontaye Carter Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Sandy Springs on MLK Weekend: Putting Working Families, First Responders, and Teachers First
Sandy Springs, GA – On Sunday, January 19, 2025, Dontaye Carter, a dedicated community advocate and proven leader, officially announced his candidacy for Mayor of Sandy Springs at the historic King Center in Atlanta. Surrounded by residents and supporters, Carter shared his vision for a city that prioritizes working families, first responders, and teachers while addressing the real challenges facing everyday people.
"Dr. King's legacy of justice and equality is a guiding force in my life," Carter said. "My great-great-grandfather, born into slavery in Selma, couldn’t have imagined his descendants would march with Dr. King and Rep. John Lewis across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Their courage made it possible for me to stand here today, ready to fight for a better future—for my daughter, for your families, and for everyone in Sandy Springs."
Carter’s campaign is focused on solving the problems that matter most to Sandy Springs' residents:
Fair Housing for All: Stopping rent hikes and price gouging to protect renters.
Capping Property Taxes: Keeping homeowners secure amid rising costs.
Strengthening Communities: Building community centers that unite and empower residents.
Smart Growth: Preventing predatory development while fostering sustainable progress.
"Mayors should be problem solvers tackling issues that impact everyday people," Carter emphasized. "From 45 city employees resigning in nine months to first responders and teachers being unable to afford homes or rent in Sandy Springs, the challenges are clear. Families are being crushed by rising rents, property taxes, and living costs while corporations get tax breaks. It’s time to prioritize people. Let’s incentivize corporations to lower costs and reinvest in the community that powers their success."
A Leader with a Legacy of Service
Carter, founder of Carter Media Group, is a successful small business owner and communications strategist. He has served as the elected Vice Chair of the School Governance Council at Dunwoody Springs Elementary, an Executive Board member of the PTO, and as Chair of North Fulton Democrats. He is also the 1st Vice President of the Atlanta NAACP and serves as the Communications Chair for the Georgia NAACP. Additionally, he served as a Board Member of CURE Childhood Cancer for two years, concluding in 2024.
Carter lives in Sandy Springs with his wife, Dr. Karen Creed, a board-certified OBGYN at Northside Hospital, and their six-year-old daughter, Kyleigh.
Endorsements of Leadership
Former Dunwoody Springs Principal Ivy Goggins said,
"What Dontaye gave to my school didn’t require money; he gave something much more valuable: the gift of his time. He made a commitment to help my kids, and he showed up for them in a way that truly mattered, giving them hope and encouragement.
These boys may have missed their morning assignments on those days, but they gained something far more important: a sense of their worth, their value, and an understanding of what they could aspire to be as men. We noticed a decrease in their discipline referrals and an increase in their classroom engagement, which I attribute to the work Dontaye did with my boys. You see, some people think about stepping up. Some people talk about stepping up. And then there are people, like Dontaye, who actually do. Dontaye, you may not know for many years to come the extent of the impact you’ve had on those boys. But what I can tell you is that it didn’t matter to you whether they were your children or not. You recognized the need to step up for the kids at our school, and you did just that.
This is the type of selfless leadership we need in politics: someone who listens, acts, and works to address the needs of the community in meaningful ways. Dontaye is a great example of what happens when one person cares enough to take action and can rally the support of others to do the same. Dontaye has my full support because he consistently proves that his words are backed by actions, and his only agenda is to make his community better for everyone in it.”
Melissa Clink, Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia's Seventh Congressional District, added,
"Each day, he leads with integrity and compassion, rooted in fairness and equity, ensuring that every voice is heard. He doesn't just talk about change—he works tirelessly to make it happen. Mr. Carter will continue to foster positive, progressive policies that benefit everyone in our community, regardless of race, religion, ethnic background, or socioeconomic status. I am confident that Dante will continue to serve others, not only in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr., but in his remembrance. I look forward to supporting his future endeavors because he is building a lasting legacy that we can all be proud of—a legacy that will benefit small business owners and workers alike, one that supports renters and homeowners, doctors and patients.
He is a bridge-builder. In this time of political division, we must stand in the gap and create unity locally. We must elect leaders who can foster unity in our small corners of the world, because our future depends on it. And you can Count on Carter."
Join the Movement
Carter’s campaign is a call to action for residents who want a city that values fairness, accountability, and opportunity. "Together, we can create a legacy of hope and progress for generations to come," Carter said. "This is our chance to build a Sandy Springs where everyone feels valued and supported."
About Dontaye Carter
Dontaye Carter is a committed community advocate with a proven record of leadership and service. He is devoted to building a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous Sandy Springs that works for everyone.
