COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - Columbus voters will head to the polls Tuesday to choose their next mayor as City Council member Joanne Cogle faces off against former city manager Isaiah Hugley in the runoff. Both candidates say unity is the key to moving the city forward.
After the firing of city manager Hugley during what many see as a contentious year of politics in the city, both candidates spent Monday speaking to residents and asking for their vote. The Cogle campaign held a rally at Lakebottom Park while Hugley’s campaign hosted a phone bank event.
More than 14,000 people voted early last week.
Final push for votes
After nearly 10 months of campaigning, the finish line is almost here. Tuesday, Columbus voters will decide who becomes the city’s 71st mayor, and both candidates are making one final push to get supporters to the polls.
“The team is excited — they call themselves the movement,” Hugley said. “We look forward to election day tomorrow, and we hope it will be much like early voting, where the turnout is great. We believe our people are turning out, and we’re ready to win this election.”
ADVERTISEMENT
City Council member Joanne Cogle said this campaign has been a grind but she’s not slowing down now. Cogle rallied supporters at Lake Bottom Park encouraging them to bring people out to vote.
“It has been a nine-month — almost ten-month — process. It has been long,” Cogle said. “I have worked really hard, my team has worked really hard, Columbus has worked really hard. I’m looking forward to being able to serve them for the next four years.”
Unity message
Former city manager Isaiah Hugley is banking on that momentum carrying him to victory. He’s also leaning into a message of unity. Hugley hit the phones working to turn out every last vote before polls open Tuesday morning.
“Let’s show up strong tomorrow — Tuesday, on election day — so that we can win this election,” Hugley said. “We will go on to become the 71st mayor, and we can start our journey together, uniting this city, moving Columbus forward. One goal, one future, one Columbus.”
Cogle is urging every supporter to make it to their assigned precinct and to bring others with them.
ADVERTISEMENT
“They can still get to the polls tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at their assigned precinct,” Cogle said. “It’s super important that they make it out — bring their friends and family. This is potentially going to change the trajectory of Columbus, and I think Columbus is ready for a change and ready to get to the next level.”
Both candidates agree on one thing — Tuesday’s vote matters. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WTVM. All rights reserved.