Meet the Atlanta City Council candidates: Alex Bevel Jones for District 2

This November, the entire Atlanta City Council is up for election, including the District 2 position, which council member Amir Farokhi recently announced he would vacate to lead the Galloway School. One candidate is Alex Bevel Jones—Callanwolde Fine Arts Center development director and former Georgia Tech corporate engagement manager—whose answers to Atlanta Community Press Collective questions about his background, District 2 and objectives if elected are below. 

Answers are condensed for space.

What distinguishes District 2 from the rest of Atlanta?

District 2 is uniquely vibrant, encompassing historic neighborhoods and thriving businesses that reflect Atlanta’s character. Our neighborhoods have seen much of Atlanta’s growth the last few years, with many young professionals and families calling District 2 home. We represent a crossroad of cultures, creativity and economic potential. Our home is central to Atlanta’s ability to grow and thrive. On Council, my goal will be to ensure District 2 grows sustainably—while centering the voices of residents in every decision. I will fight for sustainable growth to keep our neighborhoods affordable, safe and welcoming to all.

What are the unique challenges of District 2 that you would engage as a council member? How?

Our district is facing rapid growth, rising costs and increasing infrastructure demands. As a father of two young girls, I refuse to sit and watch these challenges become my children’s crises. These are the issues I’ve been hearing from folks throughout the campaign trail. On City Council, I’ll focus on increasing interconnectivity throughout our city and district. I’ll advocate to build protected bike lanes, expand access to reliable and encompassing transit, ensuring equitable investments in sidewalks, bike lanes, streetlights and infrastructure across every neighborhood.

What are the biggest issues for the entire city you’d address? How?

Atlanta urgently needs solutions for affordability and sustainable growth. I’ll champion transparent budgeting that prioritizes homeownership programs, public safety, transit expansion and the attraction of affordable grocery vendors. Homeownership is an issue particularly important to my family because we were forced to foreclose on our childhood home. I know the pain that causes, and I believe no family should have to go through it.

Transit expansion is an issue I know very well from working in economic development. Job creators always count every advantage a region wields, and transit options like MARTA differentiate Atlanta from many cities across the South. When it comes to public safety, we must support first responders fighting every day to keep us safe. They deserve the highest quality training and support, and we must continue to look at diversion programs and other measures to support our families. Lastly, affordable grocery options are a necessity when raising families as big as mine. On City Council, I’ll support bills that focus on these issues and work with private partners to support measures to make our city safer and more affordable.

Your experience has included serving as Virginia-Highland Civic Association president and a project manager for the Georgia Department for Economic Development. How does that translate to representing District 2 on a policy level?

My experience in community leadership and economic development taught me how effective policy is crafted from active community engagement. Leading the Virginia-Highland Civic Association, I navigated community dialogue to make sure our families had a seat at the table in key decisions impacting our neighborhood. These dialogues are many of the same conversations across the District, and I’ve come ready with my experiences on the Association’s Board and across my career to be productive on the Council. At the Georgia Department for Economic Development, I worked to attract investments across Atlanta and secured hundreds of millions of dollars in investments, as well as thousands of jobs. I’m ready to bring these experiences to foster opportunity and sustainable growth within District 2.

You support expansion of MARTA, health services, affordable housing, development and education opportunities, while maintaining well-funded police and first-responders, longtime residents’ homes, small business support and Atlanta’s tree canopy. How do you envision that within the city budget?

Our budget reflects our values. I’ll advocate for efficiency, transparency and accountability, ensuring funds are strategically allocated. Prioritizing affordable housing and homeowner assistance programs, I’ll leverage partnerships and grants to maximize resources. Investing in MARTA expansion and transit improvements will stimulate economic growth, enhance equity and alleviate infrastructure pressures, while targeted funding for public safety training and community programs ensures safer neighborhoods without compromising essential services.

Protecting our tree canopy and green spaces will be integrated into planning decisions, preserving Atlanta’s environmental health for generations.

Tell us about your broader political journey, including your year interning for Congress. How would you describe your political identity over time?

My views as a candidate have been shaped by my life story. I grew up in a family of teachers and preachers. While still a teen, I watched my family lose our childhood home. My parents simply couldn’t keep up with payments. Since then, I’ve been on a journey to learn as much as I can from whoever I can. I’ve worked in and around government for decades, and I’m committed to using these experiences to make our city safer, more affordable and more welcoming.

For more information about Jones and his platform, visit alexbeveljones.com.