When it comes to Atlanta’s quality of life and the future of transit in our city, the stakes could not be higher this election. 

The next mayor, city council, and council President have the power to deliver Atlanta from its car-centric present and the gridlock, pollution, and inequity it represents.  

In August , BRN sent a 35-question online survey to all office seekers.  Fourteen of the 40 who responded earned 90 or more points needed to get an A or A+. 

Why were we so impressed? Click here to get to know the candidates views, solutions, and commitment to lead in their own words. Sadly, not all of the leading candidates participated. Be sure to check out the recorded BRN and #TransformationTuesdays online forums for important additional information before casting your vote Nov. 2. 

BRN’s top-scoring 14 do represent contenders in 7 city council districts, 2 at-large posts, city council president, and mayor. We were impressed by the depth of their knowledge and commitment to hold MARTA accountable for accelerating delivery of the entire More MARTA program of transit improvements in Atlanta. They are diverse in age, race, gender, sexual orientation, neighborhood, and experience holding public office. 

 We’ve selected a quote from each of the top scorers to share with you, but hope you dive into their complete survey to see what they and other candidates had to say. *Election results and time will tell us whether the Top 14 are more likely to deliver than some of the other candidates who proudly call themselves BeltLine rail supporters, but didn't happen to score 90 or above on this survey. 

The quotes you see can be found in the candidate’s essay responses. Complete survey responses from all participating candidates and BRN’s scorecard are here. 

Top 14 Candidate Quotes

Nathan Clubb (Council District 1):

"I would hold MARTA's feet to fire, particularly on items that are in the current Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the streetcar and BeltLine rail. This includes holding them accountable to pursuing additional sources of funding for these projects and full consideration of a public private partnership to speed up delivery (as was successfully done in Denver as part of RTD's Eagle P3 Project). This includes pressuring MARTA on their prioritization of projects, including why the South segment of the BeltLine...is not at the top of the list."  Full Response Here

Liliana Bhaktiari (Council District 5): 

"I will support expanding the BeltLine SSD (Special Services District). From an equity standpoint, we need to expand it to include single family home owners. The current model burdens our small businesses and burdens renters, and we need to distribute that burden equitably. Also, money is time. If we distribute it more widely, we have more money in the mix, and can move up the timeline to hopefully get Beltline rail completed faster.... With the Biden infrastructure bill coming down the pipe we need our Beltline projects to be shovel ready."  Full Response Here

Doug Shipman (City Council President): 

"Beltline rail and reliable transit expand the ways to explore and live in the city. The ability to move between neighborhoods opens up cultural experiences and relationship building, affordable transit lowers total cost of living and increases affordability, ...and makes accessibility easier for those with disabilities as well as older residents. Reliable transit... creates a greater sense of shared experience, shared community and less isolation.... I have talked extensively about the importance of transit and specifically the role that Beltline Transit will play in boosting affordability."  Full Response Here

Andre Dickens (Mayor):

"The BeltLine is the most transformative infrastructure investment Atlanta has seen since the expansion of our international airport. Its robust and responsible expansion is the key to solving decades of transportation challenges and achieving the density that will help usher Atlanta into an international city and regional capital. My vision includes the BeltLine helping to create balanced growth across the city, not just on the north and east sides of town. BeltLine critics will have to cheer when we ensure that Atlanta’s southside communities gain access to jobs across the city. Fulfilling the promise of the BeltLine is one of the surest ways to increase economic output and cement our long-awaited goal of being recognized as a truly international city." Full Response Here

Brandon Cory Goldberg (Council At-Large Post 1):

"Beltline rail must be along as much of the Beltline as possible. This must not become another situation where parts of the city are left behind. I will not merely urge MARTA though. It is time for City Council to start making demands for these kinds of steps. Council should regularly call before its committees the officials overseeing efforts that are falling short. Explanations should be provided by those officials, and corrective action should be presented as well." Full Response Here

Erika Estrada (Council District 3):

"With the City of Atlanta’s growth projections and the environmental and quality of life challenges caused by cars and traffic, Atlanta is desperately in need of investment in alternate modes of transportation. If the BeltLine rail is completed as originally intended, it has the potential to decrease car traffic, which would decrease pollutants caused by cars. The BeltLine rail would also make Atlanta a more accessible and inclusive city, which improves quality of life. Segments of our population who have previously not been able to access jobs, education, healthcare facilities and other amenities due to not accessibility, may have better opportunity to with the BeltLine rail." Full Response Here

Jason Dozier (District 4):

"I worked to get the BeltLine Rail Now petition added to the June 11, 2018 NPU-V agenda and I successfully whipped votes to get NPU-V to vote in support of the overall BRN vision. For transit to success (sic), it needs to have complementary land use and zoning rules that prioritizes density and deemphasizes automobile access, and I will support these changes." Full Response Here

Jason Hudgins (District 10):

"Rail on the Beltline would provide connection to current transit infrastructure like current MARTA Stations. This could be a catalyst for more density in the city which will be a key component to solving our housing crisis. The Rail would also provide infill stations to close the gaps between riders and their destinations. As we increase density if we connect tax policy we could also create revenue streams for other badly needed infrastructure improvements." Full Response Here

Jason Winston (District 1): 

"For our city to thrive, it must be accessible. Investing in transportation means cleaner air, less congestion, and more opportunities for everyone.  I didn’t have a car for two years when I moved to Atlanta and relied on MARTA for transportation, so I understand the importance of public transportation that works. I’m personally committed to additional investment in MARTA. With the 'More MARTA' program, we have a huge opportunity to expand Atlanta transit and make our city cleaner and more connected.  I will work to expand our transportation options like Beltline Rail and prioritize the safety of all Atlanta residents, including making our streets safer for pedestrians and bike and scooter riders. I will work to ensure our city streets and sidewalks are ADA compliant and safe for wheelchairs and strollers.  We must also prioritize more 'Complete Streets' projects throughout the city to safely accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, public transportation riders and vehicle traffic in dedicated transit lanes." Full Response Here

Jenné Shepherd (District 12):

"I was one of the leaders that created the Murphy's crossing coalition. This coalition was important in order to provide residents the opportunity to give their vision for the development and allowed us the opportunity to educate on concerning this development and what that looks like when the site is purchased. Murphy's crossing is a vital part to the Beltline master plan as transit infill station so it vital that the Beltline be intentional and thoughtful in its planning. I have also educated people on how equitable transit is necessary for the economic stability of families on the south side of Atlanta." Full Response Here

Jodi Merriday (Council At-Large Post 3):

"Atlantans have -- again and again -- committed to the full realization of the BeltLine vision, including with their tax dollars. We can settle for nothing less than all of the components of the BeltLine -- including and especially rail -- in every part of our city. I will work tirelessly as a representative of Atlantans to insist that we do everything necessary to do so. The most important step that I will take will integrate inclusivity to ensure that public awareness is increased and utilization is maximized." Full Response Here

Katrina "Katie" Kissel (Council District 5):

"In order to handle the influx of people expected over the next 10-20 years we will need to move away from single occupancy vehicular travel as our primary mode of transportation. Requiring every citizen to have a vehicle because they cannot get around the city without one is making our property more expensive, our environment less healthy, and our neighborhoods less dense with fewer amenities. The Beltline offers a unique opportunity to change that quickly, which is what is needed at this time." Full Response Here

Natalyn Archibong (City Council President): 

"For Atlanta to continue to be a welcoming city and one that embraces its long history of diversity and inclusion, transit equity must be a top priority. For those communities where a significant portion of the community relies on public transportation, such as on the south and west Beltline segments, MARTA must conduct the necessary engineering studies that are required for the building rail in these areas. As Dr. Martin Luther King wisely understood, access to transit is a civil right." Full Response Here

Alex Wan (Council District 6):

"The reality is that we cannot pave our way out of this challenge. The answer does not lie in more streets with larger throughput. Rather, we need to aggressively pursue alternate modes of transportation other than cars to build the needed capacity. Transit must be at the top of that list.  The Atlanta BeltLine offers the most 'ready' transit projects before us. Its build out also enhances our current MARTA system through improved connectivity and expanded transit options. The project also has the opportunity to help address such other important issues as housing affordability and furthering thoughtful conversations about density and commercial nodes/corridor placement throughout the city. Additionally the BeltLine will also improve our long-term sustainability initiatives." Full Response Here