Smyrna Mayoral Race: Norton Projected Winner To Keep Seat

SMYRNA, GA — Smyrna Mayor Derek Norton will seemingly keep his seat as he is the projected winner in the 2023 municipal election, as called by Atlanta News First and Fox 5 Atlanta.

In Georgia, candidates must clear a 50 percent plus one vote threshold to avoid a runoff. All results in the municipal race remain unofficial until certified.

The election pitted incumbent Norton against newcomer Ken Hymes and longtime hopeful Alex Backry.

With at least 20 years working in government, Norton was first elected mayor of Smyrna in 2019.

According to his city biography, the Cobb County native previously sat on the Smyrna City Council and has served on multiple city boards, including those for Keep Smyrna Beautiful and the Smyrna Business Association.

He has been the director of government relations for Medical Association of Georgia and is the chief executive officer of Topspin Strategies, which represents multiple State Capitol clients, according to his bio.

"Smyrna is the best place to live and raise a family in all of Georgia, and we will continue to work to keep it that way," Norton told the Marietta Daily Journal.

One of his challengers is familiar with the mayoral race. Backry has run several times, each race unsuccessful, according to a MDJ report.

In a November 2011 interview with Patch, Backry noted he has been a Smyrna resident since 1981 and has an extensive background working with airlines.

"The thing that I see, what’s motivating me here - and I can’t stress it enough - we don’t need a politician as a mayor. We need a problem-solving person. And there’s where my background is because of my airlines," Backry told Patch.

In the past, he has vowed to unite city departments and conduct a private audit to follow the city's funds.

Meanwhile, Hymes is a 23-year Smyrna resident who is the director of product management for Warner Bros. Discovery, according to his bio.

"Why am I running for mayor," he asked in his profile. "Because like many of you, I love Smyrna too. But most of all, I want trust, conservative fiscal management, transparency, high ethical practices and a public servant mindset to be the overarching culture of our City Hall. Smyrna deserves no less."

Hymes has served on the board for his local Homeowners Association and has been a math tutor in metro Atlanta. He mentors people staring their business careers and has a community service background that includes volunteering at the Atlanta Food Bank, according to his bio.

He told the MDJ his concerns include the Windy Hill Corridor project and the city's intent to buy Smyrna First Baptist Church's downtown campus with what Hymes said was a lack of funding.

As of 10:09 p.m., with all 21 precincts reporting, Cobb County election officials have reported the following:

Derek Norton (incumbent): 55.10 percent (4,356 votes)

Alex Backry: 1.7 percent (134 votes)

Ken Hymes: 43.2 percent (3,415 votes)