Georgia's 'Queer Eye' Mayor Wants To Be Your Next U.S. Senator

CLARKSTON, GA — Mayor Ted Terry has entered Georgia's U.S. Senate race, seeking the Democrat Party's nomination to challenge powerful incumbent David Perdue next fall. Terry joins one other Democrat in the race, former Columbus Mayor Tessa Tomlinson, who joined the race only after Stacey Abrams, who failed to win Georgia's governor's race, declined to enter the race.

"Division is the tool of cowards, and we should reject the politicians who play on our worst fears and turn us against one another," Terry said in a campaign announcement on his website. "Let’s have the courage to bring people together, and to unite for our common purpose."

Terry, 36, is the youngest mayor in Clarkston's 135-year history. The town of about 13,000 people has earned the moniker the "Ellis Island of the South" because of the population's diversity. Terry is perhaps best known nationally for his appearance on the Netflix series, "Queer Eye."

A Clarkston native, Terry has implemented a largely progressive, liberal agenda, including a $15 minimum wage for city employees; the decriminalization of simple marijuana possession; an expansion of after school programs; and a commitment for the city to use 100 percent clean energy by 2050.

Under Terry's watch, Clarkston has also come under fire from conservatives who see the community as a sanctuary city for terrorists. Back in 2015, Conservative America named Clarkston as one of the top 18 terrorist sanctuary cities. It slammed Terry for saying his city is willing to accept more refugees from the Middle East and Africa.

More: DeKalb City Called a Top Terrorist Sanctuary

Clarkston also got a lot of negative national attention for its Brannen Hill complex, which was christened the "worst community in America" by the Deen Media Center. The rundown condominium complex was home to numerous immigrants and refugees and gained national attention for its harsh conditions. It was home to about 400 refugees, mainly from Somalia, who settled there due to the proximity of a nearby immigrant community.

More: DeKalb Community Called 'Worst in America'

The complex has since been razed under the leadership of DeKalb County, notably Commissioner Nancy Jester.

Perdue has already raised almost $2 million for his reelection campaign. Democrats were hopeful that Abrams would enter the race and bring her fundraising prowess for a race that Democrats see as critical in their efforts to retake control of the U.S. Senate. Tomlinson has virtually no statewide profile, and raised just over $500,000 in the most recent campaign reporting period.