Rev. Keyanna Jones Moore adds wrinkle to usual suspects in DeKalb District 3 Commission race

After hardly more than a year in office, DeKalb County District 3 Commissioner Nicole Massiah is defending her seat in the May 19 Democratic primary against mostly the same opponents from the November 2024 special election. Tommy Travis and Jakequeline Walls are running again after finishing third and fourth, respectively, in 2024. Instead, the Rev. Keyanna Jones Moore will be the fourth candidate in District 3, which covers mostly unincorporated southwestern DeKalb County and the Atlanta neighborhoods of East Lake, The Villages at East Lake, East Atlanta Village, Edgewood, Kirkwood, Lake Claire and pieces of Candler Park and Druid Hills.

The 2024 special election occurred because prior Commissioner Larry Johnson vacated the District 3 seat so he could run for DeKalb County CEO, where he lost to Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. 

The Incumbent

Massiah has been the owner of a bakery, real estate brokerage and law practice before becoming commissioner. On her website, which DeKalb County permits commissioners to link to on their county webpages, Massiah touts those experiences, various service organization involvements, becoming the first Black female commissioner and her committee appointments from the DeKalb County Commission. The website does not mention the impending election, instead serving as an extension of Massiah’s efforts as commissioner, including a newsletter, links to county services and her official county email address. The top of the website reads “Victory Secured, Thanks to You!”

Returning Contenders

Walls’ longtime career as a firefighter and EMT follows her father’s life of service, according to her website. She also has experience managing a company offering horticultural programs in local schools and recreation centers, as well as a transportation company for seniors and disabled community members. Her top priorities are revitalizing the county economy, expanding affordable housing, maintaining infrastructure, strengthening code compliance and supporting public safety:

“I will advocate for pay raises, the expansion of community patrols, and undercover operations to combat crime, including the implementation of video surveillance. I am determined to address both the problems and their root causes, working together to build a safer District 3.”

Travis has been a GIS analyst for DeKalb County, as well as an analyst and engineer in telecommunications. His website prominently proclaims endorsements from the Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council and Teamsters Local 528. His campaign’s primary concerns are accountability and transparency, safer communities, responsible economic growth, support for seniors and families, stronger community engagement and better county services for all. He lists numerous DeKalb-based public service involvements, foremost his achievements with the South DeKalb Coalition:

The New Challenger

Rev. Keyanna Jones Moore has been a staple of local organizing movements individually and through Park Avenue Baptist Church, where she pastors, according to her website. For 20 years, she has spoken before government bodies—from Metro Atlanta to the UN—and marched in the streets for causes ranging from Stop Cop City to environmental justice, such as opposing the Georgia Public Service Commission’s 10-gigawatt expansion for Georgia Power. Endorsements include Georgia Conservation Voters, Working Families Party of Georgia and several community advocates, such as Housing Justice League’s Matthew Nursey and South River Watershed Alliance’s Margaret Spalding. Staple issues Jones lists are no data centers, advocacy for missing middle housing, cleaning up blighted properties, better transportation options, enhanced food and security, expanded parks and trails, fair water bills and economic development:

“South DeKalb needs smart economic development. The inequity between North and South DeKalb is stark. We need more grocery stores, farmers markets, shops and restaurants and investment in small biz. And we need to get dilapidated businesses cleaned up and redeveloped into new spaces. The county and Decide DeKalb must make South DeKalb a priority.”

Local Take

Constituent Kip Dunlap, of Edgewood, identifies as a progressive who has worked in transportation demand management and as a legislative aide at the Capitol. 

“I’m liking Rev. Keyanna Jones Moore,” Dunlap said, based on his knowledge of the District 3 candidates. “She seems to have a strong grasp of transit and housing issues, and having worked in Ted Terry’s office is a big plus to me.”

The winner of the Democratic primary will face the lone Republican, Andrea Bass Smith, in the general election this November.