A race is now underway for the vacant District 2 seat on Statesboro City Council, after three candidates – Kathleen Keehner, Maleek Jones and Loletta Donaldson-Elliott – qualified for the special city election that will be held along with the Nov. 3 county and state election.
This contest will appear only on the ballots of voters who reside in Statesboro Council District 2. The District 2 seat has been vacant since former councilmember Paulette Chavers, who had served more than six years, resigned in May. The special election winner will fill the unexpired term through 2027. To continue for a full four-year term, that new council member would need to seek election in next year’s regular city elections.
Keehner, Jones and Donaldson-Elliott completed their “notice of candidacy” paperwork at the office of City Clerk Leah Harden at City Hall during the last two days of the three-day qualifying period, which ended at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Each candidate also paid a $330 qualifying fee, the amount of which is based on 3% of last year’s salary for a council member.
Loletta Donaldson-Ellioitt
Loletta Donaldson-Elliott, who qualified Thursday afternoon, was the last to do so, and had not been reached for the previous version of this story. But she replied with an email later Thursday evening, and her basic information and brief comments are now being added. First, the Herald asked the candidates how long they’ve been residents of Statesboro and in District 2 – because length-of-residency requirements are part of qualifying – and also their ages and if they’ve ever run for office before.
“I have lived in District 2 my entire life,” wrote Donaldson-Elliot, who’s 48. “It's the community I was raised in and have always called home.”
This is her first time running for an elected, public office.
Second, the candidates were asked what they do or have done, by way of a career or business.
“I'm a partner at Gayla's Gifts of Beauty, a healthcare professional, and co-manager of Bigma's Restaurant,” she wrote. “I'm also a wife, mother, and grandmother, and a member of Historical First African Baptist Church, where I teach youth Sunday school and serve as Youth Choir Director.”
The reporter didn’t actually ask about candidates’ education, but picked it up in some way from each one, such as a brief biography Donaldson-Elliot sent. She is a graduate of Statesboro High School, Ogeechee Technical College and Swainsboro Technical College.
Third, the candidates were asked for a brief response to an always central question, why would they like to serve on the council? The newspaper will go into more details with future interviews.
“I'm running because I know District 2 — its people, its history, and its needs — and I want to bring that firsthand understanding to the council table to serve my neighbors well,” said Donaldson-Elliott.
Maleek Jones
Maleek Jones, 32, qualified as a candidate Thursday morning. He works for Georgia Southern University as a lead success coach in the Academic Success Center, and notes that he’s a “double Eagle,” having obtained both a master’s degree in social science with a concentration in political science and a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Georgia Southern.
He moved to Statesboro in 2018, so almost eight years ago, and has been a resident of District 2 for four years.
“We live in District 2 and started a family there, raising kids there,” Jones said on the phone. “So all around I’m a family man, looking to hear what District 2 desires and be a representative for their voice.”
His wife is a “triple Eagle,” and they have two young children.
“The main thing is I’m feeling led to step into this space to be voice for the people of the district,” Jones concluded. “I spend my time representing students in sort of the same way at Georgia Southern, being an advocate for them, and I think I’d just be doing that but in a different capacity, listening to what the people need.”
Kathleen Keehner
Kathleen Keehner had been first to qualify, and did so Wednesday. Nobody had signed up the first day, and she was the only candidate to qualify before the third and final day. She had responded to the Herald’s questions by email.
A resident of Statesboro for a year and seven months, Keehner reported that she and her family moved into District 2 in January “after purchasing a fixer-upper,” which they have been renovating while they save up.
“I am 25 years old and have never run for public office before, but I am deeply passionate about securing a prosperous future for the next generation and building a strong community,” Keehner wrote.
She graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree, having studied painting and business.
“Since then, I have worked as a substitute teacher and started my apparel and design business, JTK Supply Company,” Keehner said. “I am also a mother to a 9-month-old boy named Jayden, which is the full-time job I am most proud of.
“I would like to serve on the city council to contribute to our community's growth and help ensure a thriving, supportive environment for all families in our district,” she concluded.