Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1458429
background and experience, I've been preparing for something like this since 2005, so it's been a long journey. In the general election, I knew I had a chance to be in the top two, but never let myself get over-confident. I was surprised that I was so close because I didn't have a lot of resources then. A couple of friends and I did nearly everything. Although I had the group, they operated behind the scenes. I called them my backfield, which was very strong. I felt I could win the runoff until the mudslinging started. Then, I thought my opponent's use of national stereotypes against me would hurt me and my chances. JG: What was the worst thing that was said about you by your opponent or his camp? Mayor: During the runoff, negative mailers were sent to voters. I was called a radical liberal. JG: I was surprised that only 17 percent of the population voted in such a consequential election, especially in a patriotic, military- based city like Warner Robins. Mayor: But it was the largest turnout ever for a municipal election. GROWING UP MILITARY JG: Tell me about your upbringing. Mayor: I'm a military brat born at Andrews Air Force Base. My dad was stationed in San Bernardino, California, and twice at Lajes Air Force Base in the Azores, Portugal. He served for 22 years, mostly in COMS (communications) and CE (civil engineering). Both my grandfathers, one of my brothers and my husband served our country, and my parents still live in Warner Robins today. I attended Tabor Middle School and Northside High School in Warner Robins and spent a year at Georgia Southern before graduating from Georgia State University. I earned my juris doctor degree from North Carolina Central University in Durham and took a year off between college and law school to work at the Georgia General Assembly. JG: How do you mesh your personal and professional life? Mayor: I've always been big on family. That's why we reside in Warner Robins, to be near my family. I was always preoccupied with work. I got married later and became a mother after my friends. They were always talking about their kids. When I became a mother, I got it. My husband, Aaron, who spent 15 years in the Army, has five degrees and runs his own government contracting FEBRUARY/MARCH 2022 | maconmagazine.com 53