A race is apparently underway for the vacant District 2 seat on Statesboro City Council, after three candidates – Kathleen Keehner, Maleek Jones and Loletta Donaldson-Elliot – 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.

Kathleen Keehner was first to qualify, having done so on Wednesday. A resident of Statesboro for a year and seven months, she reports 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 said in an email, replying to some basic questions from the Statesboro Herald.

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 wrote. “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.

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 his master’s in social science, with a concentration in political science, and his bachelor’s 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,” he 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.”

Loletta Donaldson-Elliot qualified Thursday afternoon.

The Statesboro Herald then attempted to reach her by phone and email but had not heard back by Thursday evening’s posting time. This story will be updated with her information and comments after she gets back to us.