Bruce Campbell elected Garden City mayor; incumbents sweep elections

Incumbent Mayor Bruce Campbell beat out hopeful Gary Monroe with 575 votes of the 895 cast to become Garden City’s first elected Black mayor.

Campbell took on the seat when former mayor Don Bethune resigned in 2022. He’s a pastor at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist and has been for the past 12 years. His platform while running revolved around safety, recreation, more housing and revitalizing and cleaning up the city.

Monroe is also a pastor in Garden City, and after his fourth time running for the mayoral seat, he claimed 320 votes. Monroe’s focus is on restoring and rebuilding Garden City with smart growth, safe development and sound leadership – three elements he believes have been neglected in the city.

Garden City hires engineer to assess need for speed bumps after installation; residents complain

Garden City native Gary Monroe hopes the fourth time is the charm for mayoral run

‘I don’t have to run again, but I think it’s needed:’ Bruce Campbell runs for Garden City mayor

In District 2, incumbent Debbie Ruiz beat out newcomer Marie Fontanez with 99 votes of the 131 cast.

Ruiz has served as a councilmember since 2016. During campaigning, she said she intends to finish what she started when she first ran, and improve her community for herself and her neighbors.

In District 4, incumbent Richard Lassiter, Jr. beat Deidrick Cody with 117 votes of 183 cast. Lassiter was raised in Garden City and has been a resident for the majority of his life.

In District 3, Incumbent Natalyn Morris ran unopposed, and has been a councilmember since 2019.

Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for Chatham County municipalities for Savannah Morning News. You can reach her at dambus@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Incumbents sweep elections in Garden City