MACON, Ga. — The 2024 election cycle is underway.
Local and countywide candidates qualified to run in early March, and there’s a new name in the running to challenge Macon’s mayor.
Shekita Maxwell says she was born and raised in Macon, and attends Macedonia Church.
At Sunday's service, Maxwell announced her candidacy to her congregation.
"Vote Maxwell for mayor. Maxwell changing Macon for the better of all Macon," she said.
She's a member of Macon's NAACP and said she's qualified to become mayor because of her education.
"I have two masters from Mercer University. A master's in public health, and also a master's in education- S.T.E.M. education. I am currently pursuing another master's in industrial organization psychology," Maxwell said.
She's attending Wesleyan College for her third master's which focuses on diversity and inclusion, and attended Tuskegee University for her undergraduate degree.
13WMAZ asked Maxwell what her top priorities would be if she were to become mayor.
"Economics, safety, and infrastructure," Maxwell said.
She said she has different ideas about how to spend the city's budget.
"My neighborhood doesn't play pickleball. We would like to see Bloomfield gym be renovated before you put up pickleball, and also before you put up an amphitheater. Those were not necessity," Maxwell said.
She said taking care of the city's homeless population is necessary.
"The unsheltered need a shelter before we do anything else with the SPLOST or do anything with American Rescue Funds. You have to start putting the citizens all collectively together. Their priorities come first. Not just your friends and constituents," Maxwell said.
Maxwell said she'd like to see more equal racial representation in Macon, and she hopes to be a part of that.
"Representation matters. In a city, majority African-Americans, not dismissive from anyone else- we need to have leadership that reflects us, and looks like us," Maxwell said.
Maxwell is also a 9/11 and Freedom Iraq Veteran. She's involved in various groups, like Dress for Success in Atlanta, and the Macon NAACP.
Maxwell currently works for the federal government as a public health officer, biological scientist, and chemist. She also has her own educational athletic service business called Royal Science, which teaches children about science.