Stacey Evans Joins the Kudzu Vine to Discuss the Atlanta Mayoral Race, Campaign Strategy, and Key Issues in Georgia Politics

On the September 13th episode of The Kudzu Vine, David, Catherine, and Tim open with a lively discussion of the recent Atlanta mayoral debate. Though Catherine missed the debate, Tim offers a detailed recap, noting that it remained civil until candidates began questioning one another. Three contenders—Mary Norwood, Kasim Reed, and Jesse Spikes—targeted Lisa Borders, prompting speculation from the hosts. They attribute this to Borders’s leadership role on the city council, her insider profile, and lingering dissatisfaction with her handling of a controversial memo on race in the mayoral contest. The group also analyzes electoral dynamics, including gender effects, runoff possibilities, campaign management matchups, and the strategic implications of media buys. David emphasizes sophisticated voter targeting through cable and radio, while Catherine stresses the impact of strong television advertising as the race tightens.The episode’s featured guest is Democratic State House candidate Stacey Evans, who discusses her run for Georgia’s House District 40, covering parts of Smyrna, Marietta, and Vinings. Evans explains that the open seat, combined with her long-standing work in politics and community organizations, created the perfect moment to run. She highlights her background as the first in her family to graduate college and her commitment to education, children’s issues, and community engagement. Evans identifies education and transportation as the district’s top concerns, criticizing legislative inaction on transit and stressing the need for statewide connectivity, including light rail. She also outlines her early campaign efforts—meeting voters, attending civic gatherings, and preparing to boost turnout in a low-participation district whose many young residents she hopes to mobilize.