Smyrna Councilman Resigns, Takes Job With Atlanta Mayor's Office

SMYRNA, GA — Smyrna City Councilman Austin Wagner resigned from his seat Thursday to take a job with newly-elected Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.

Wagner, who represents Ward 2, announced his resignation at council's Committee of the Whole meeting Thursday. He was elected to council in 2019, and now he'll be serving as deputy chief of staff to Dickens.

However, he said he still plans to keep living in Smyrna.

"I wanted to say thank you to everyone ... It was an honor to work with all of you ... It's been a great experience," Wagner said over video during the meeting. He called in over video chat because he tested positive for COVID-19. "It was a short but long two years, and I'm excited to see what the future holds."

Wagner, a political consultant, was raised in Asheville, North Carolina and earned a bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University, the Marietta Daily Journal reported. He also has a law degree from Georgetown University.

He and his wife, Cynthia, moved to Smyrna in 2015 and have two children, per the MDJ.

The city of Smyrna is working with the Cobb County elections board to schedule a special election to fill his seat, tentatively scheduled for May 24 along with the primaries for state offices.