Sandy Springs Councilwoman Jody Reichel on Jan. 8 announced her candidacy for mayor, which will come to a vote Nov. 4.
“The future of Sandy Springs is brimming with potential, and we need fresh, innovative leadership to meet this moment,” Reichel said. “I’m running for mayor to create more options for singles, seniors and families at every stage of their lives to live, work and play here in Sandy Springs. Our neighbors are telling me what they want from the city, and I believe I can help take us there.”
The mayoral seat and the six city council seats will be up for election in November.
The current mayor, Rusty Paul, announced in September 2024 that he would seek a fourth and final term. Paul is the city’s second mayor, taking office in January 2014 after the city’s first mayor, Eva Galambos. She served from 2005 to January 2014.
Reichel was elected as the District 4 city council representative in 2017. She said she’s earned a reputation as a fiscally responsible consensus builder by listening to residents and fighting for strong neighborhoods, public safety, good schools and quality housing.
Every council decision impacts another, Reichel said. The moves create resilient, vibrant communities with well-funded, long-term economic development, rich and varied housing opportunities, easy-to-access recreation and green space, and top-quality public education.
“We can bring greater energy to every corner of our city, but we must get these fundamentals right and keep getting them right,” she said.
Reichel has a real estate investment business focused on revitalization of rental properties to create quality homes and long-term housing. Many of her clients have stayed with her for more than a decade.
She started a holiday gift program with the Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta as a volunteer more than 29 years ago to support families in need. She also serves on the board of Leadership Perimeter and the Fulton County Zoning Board and is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. Reichel was instrumental in the efforts to build a new North Springs High School, which took more than nine years to get started.
She lives in Mt. Vernon Woods with her husband, Ken, and their two puppies. They share four adult children whom they hope will all eventually live in Sandy Springs.
For more information about Reichel and her platform, visit www.jodyforsandysprings.com.
