City Council District 5 Candidate Stresses Independence in Campaign

Voters go to the polls Nov. 5 and without a doubt, the council race for District 5 is the standout contest this election season.

Last week, Natalyn Archibong, the incumbent candidate, filed a slander lawsuit and sought a restraining order against two of her opponents, Christian Enterkin and Matt Rinker. (A judge threw out the restraining order request though the slander portion of case is yet to be decided.)

But a third challenger, John Michalik, who isn't a party to the lawsuit, is using it to differentiate his candidacy from the rest in District 5, which includes 

Michalik, who lives in Old Fourth Ward and is self-funding his campaign, has been a longtime neighborhood activist focused on crime and public safety.

The Georgia Tech graduate has made crime a centerpiece of his platform, but he also is looking to make change in the molasses-like movement of city departments in dealing with constituents.

He also is pushing for term limits and wants to sponsor legislation stricter limits on campaign contributions.

He also wants to encourage more civic participation.

Indeed, in his latest Youtube video — where he's dressed in costume as wrestler Hulk Hogan — he notes that in the last election, only about 800 of District 5's roughly 40,000 registered voters cast ballots.

What do you think of this year's municipal elections and the candidates running? Will you vote? Are you satisfied with this crop of candidates? Let us know in comments below.