COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The Columbus Council met Tuesday morning. The meeting was scheduled for last week but had to be rescheduled because of a lack of a quorum.
The council dealt with zoning issues, board appointments and other matters. But as the council heads toward the 2026 election, two councilors are running for mayor and have a public forum at weekly meetings.
Councilors Joanne Cogle and Byron Hickey are among seven people who have filed their intent to run for mayor of Columbus. As sitting councilors, they have a platform in the televised meetings.
Marvin Broadwater Jr., who attends almost every meeting, said the atmosphere has shifted.
"The dynamics of our council has changed. It seems as though that it is a political stage, in my opinion and from what I have seen before," Broadwater said. "Business is no longer the same. In my opinion."
Cogle and Hickey said council business will remain the same during the campaign.
"I don't plan to do anything different, no. I mean I am a candidate for mayor," Hickey said. "So I am not planning on doing anything different. I am always taking my job seriously as a council person."
Cogle echoed that sentiment.
"Everything is exactly the same. My priority is to move Columbus forward. And that's the same as three years ago as it will be in the next four years," she said.
Mayor Skip Henderson has run for office while holding office and said incumbents have an advantage.
"I don't think there is a doubt that by being on council there is an advantage because you have television time and an opportunity to be in the news every couple of weeks," Henderson said.
The mayor's race is already crowded. Former City Manager Isaiah Hugley, who was fired in May, is also running but does not have the same visibility as sitting councilors.
The election is May 19, 2026. Candidates do not formally qualify until the first week of March.
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