The incumbent northeast Cobb commissioner, a Republican, faces a Democratic challenger for the first time this November in a sign the district is becoming more competitive for liberal candidates.
Meanwhile, an independent write-in candidate is seeking to offer a third way to voters turned off by the partisan divide on a national and local level.
Democrat Caroline Holko, Republican JoAnn Birrell and Independent Joseph Pond are competing to represent District 3, which includes downtown Marietta, on the Cobb County Commission.
Each of the candidates have sought to distinguish themselves on local issues such as land use, taxes and spending. But they also see the potential impact of broader political allegiances and trends on the outcome of the race. Experts have said high turnout for Democrats in the midterms could shift down-ticket races, especially in places like Cobb that have historically voted for conservatives but went for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Carol Brown of Canton Road Neighbors said voters who are paying attention to the commission race will likely be motivated by concerns over development and taxes.
“The average voter on both sides are either going to vote ‘R’ and like Donald Trump or are going to vote ‘D’ because they’re angry at Donald Trump,” said Brown, who leans Democratic but has endorsed Birrell. “I hate to say that, but … that’s clearly true.”
Birrell, a former lobbyist, said she’s not taking any voters for granted and has been campaigning hard. She has amassed the largest war chest, about $64,000, with the largest contributions coming from local law firms and real estate interests, some of whom often have business before the…
