Jeff Allen returns to Norcross City Council after special election win

Jeff Allen is returning to the Norcross City Council after winning the November 3 special election. He defeated former Mayor Bucky Johnson in the race to fill a vacant seat. Unofficial results show Allen received 69 percent of the ballots cast.

The seat became available this summer following the death of Council Member Marshall Cheek. Cheek had one year remaining on his four-year term. Allen will serve a second, nonconsecutive term on the council.

Turnout for this municipal election was higher than in recent years. Unofficial tallies count 1,090 ballots cast. For comparison, the 2019 mayoral race between Craig Newton and Chuck Paul drew 1,138 votes. That 2019 ballot also included the measure known as the Brunch Bill.

Allen said he plans to be sworn in on November 16, pending certification. He met with Johnson the night before the election and again the morning after. Johnson told Allen he supported him for the remainder of the term.

“Bucky helped me get elected in my first term and we’re friends,” Allen said. “He congratulated me and was quick to say that he and I agree on more than we disagree on (which is very true), and I believe that will resonate with his voters.”

Allen first served on the council before leaving office in 2008. He cited the birth of his last child as the reason for his departure. He currently works as an IT consultant. He describes himself primarily as a dad, grandad, and husband.

Allen’s campaign focused on opposing recent changes to the city’s comprehensive plan. He specifically targeted increases in density and rental units. He spoke at public meetings throughout the summer to voice these concerns.

“I have been very vocal about the comprehensive plan changes related to density and zoning that were made in the spring,” Allen said. “It’s the number one issue neighbors talked about during my campaign. I don’t believe the citizens feel they were properly represented at that time, and based on conversations I had campaigning, they believe the council failed them on this matter.”

Allen joins Council Members Josh Bare, Bruce Gaynor, Andrew Hixson, and Matt Myers. Mayor Craig Newton presides over the body. Allen said he wants to reduce red tape for businesses expanding in Norcross. He also plans to push for a modern digital voting system to replace the current hand-raising method.

Other local races in Norcross also produced results on November 3. Arlene Beckles, a Democrat, ran unopposed for State House District 96. In District 97, Democratic candidate Jyot Singh defeated Republican Yassin Moghazy. State Sen. Sheikh Rahman ran unopposed in District 5.

Former state Rep. Ruwa Romman defeated Republican Aizaz Shaikh in District 97 by a nearly 2-to-1 margin. State Rep. Sally Harrell beat Republican challenger Melina R. Mast in District 40. In Gwinnett County, Democratic candidate Benjamin L. Culberson defeated District 4 incumbent Matthew Holtkamp. District 2 Commissioner Ben Ku defeated Republican Rodolfo Ochoa.