Mayoral candidate disqualified

The mayor’s race in a northern Gwinnett City is down to one candidate as the only other person running was disqualified for failing to meet the requirements set by the city’s charter.

The city disqualified Nancy Wren on Sept. 13 due to her voter registration and residency status, said Jane Whittington, city clerk and elections superintendent. Wren was registered to vote in Hall County and not Gwinnett County at the time of qualifying on Aug. 18, Whittington said. Wren then used the address of her business, Sugar Hill Bakery, to register on Sept. 1, Whittington said.

Anyone running for local office must reside in Sugar Hill for at least one year prior to qualifying.

Brandon Hembree, a former city councilmember and now unopposed mayoral candidate, brought the challenge to Wren’s qualifications, according to Whittington. As the only remaining candidate, Hembree is set to succeed longtime Mayor Steve Edwards, who is not seeking reelection.

Wren d id not respond to a Monday request from The Atlanta Journal-constitution for comment on the disqualification. “On this situation, I don’t have a statement to make,” Hembree told the AJC on Monday.

Two special elections will be held at the same time as the Nov. 2 general election to fill the unexpired council terms of Hembree and Susie Walker. Tiffany Hale Carter and Jenn Thatcher will run for Post 1, while Mason Roszel will run unopposed for Post 3.

Councilmember Taylor Anderson will also run unopposed for another term for Post 5. Amber Chambers is challenging incumbent Councilmember Nic Greene for Post 4.