Tim Denson is excited to announce his campaign for Mayor of Athens-Clarke County! Denson currently represents District 5 on the Clarke County Board of Education and is Team Lead at the Athens Homeless Day Service Center.

After nearly 15 years in public service and community organizing in Athens, Tim will bring to the Mayor’s office a track record of proactive leadership, extensive experience in local policymaking, and a cooperative and engaged approach to governance. As an Athens-Clarke County Commissioner, Denson spearheaded policies to create affordable housing through the Inclusionary Housing Policy, build more parks & green space, and keep families housed by creating the ACC Eviction Prevention program. As co-founder of Athens for Everyone, he led successful, people-powered campaigns for fare-free public transit and a living wage for ACC employees while supporting an infrastructure to bring more Athenians into the local political process. In his current role with the Homeless Day Service Center, Denson works directly with unhoused communities to secure housing access and support services, developing hands-on experience and policy solutions to address the issues of housing availability and cost that he plans to prioritize as Mayor. As a school board member, Denson is proud to have been part of a school board that has put in place living wages for all CCSD employees, created a CCSD Sustainability Plan, and improved graduation rates. 

Denson knows how to work both within government and in the community to get things done. He envisions an Athens where everyone’s needs are met, including their needs for safety, for transparent and accessible democracy, and for housing and economic security. 

To refine this vision and map a plan forward, Denson will host a series of community conversations to hear directly from residents about their hopes, concerns, and priorities for an Athens they can be proud to call home.

ACC voters will select their next Mayor in the election in May of 2026. Residents should look out for Listening Sessions that Tim will be hosting across the county over the summer.