Polls are now open for Gwinnett’s mayoral and city council elections

Norcross native and longtime city councilman Craig Newton will be uncontested in the city’s November mayoral election. It is believed he will become the first black mayor of any Gwinnett County city. (Photo courtesy of Craig Newton)

Norcross native and longtime city councilman Craig Newton will be uncontested in the city’s November mayoral election. It is believed he will become the first black mayor of any Gwinnett County city. (Photo courtesy of Craig Newton)

Gwinnett has no countywide elections today — but polls are now open in several cities holding local contests.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will be open until 7 p.m.

Several Gwinnett cities will elect mayors today. Most mayoral candidates are running unopposed, however, including those Braselton, Dacula, Grayson, Sugar Hill and Norcross — where unopposed candidate Craig Newton will become Gwinnett County's first-ever black mayor.

The lone contested mayoral race will be in Loganville, where former city councilman Rey Martinez — who has a chance to become Gwinnett’s first Latino mayor — is taking on Donna Jones.

Several Gwinnett cities have council seats up for grabs as well.

High interest races include a vote in Peachtree Corners, where incumbent councilwoman Jeanne Aulbach is facing opposition from Joe Sawyer and Luke Crawford.

Crawford drew heavy criticism last month for a series of controversial Facebook posts.

A similar race was shaping up in Suwanee, where incumbent councilwoman Beth Hilscher was expected to face off against challenger Joe Briggs. Briggs was left to defend himself last week after a string of his inflammatory tweets about Jews and Israel was brought to light.

Briggs later dropped out of the race.

For a full list of Gwinnett’s municipal races, check out The AJC’s 2017 voter guide.

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