# @balleralert on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DQw7hg2E6iL
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/36673347-balleralert-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/3d180ad3cf.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-11-07T18:00:58.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Baller Alert (@balleralert) — https://gondola.cc/balleralert

## Caption

Marietta’s Mayoral Race Was Decided by 87 Votes: A Wake-Up Call for Voter Participation⁠
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Blogged by: thinktank⁠
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A mere 87 votes made all the difference in #Marietta, #Georgia, proving once again just how powerful each ballot can be. In a tight race for mayor, incumbent Steve #Thunder Tumlin edged out 24-year-old challenger #SamFoster in a contest that could have changed the city’s history.⁠
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Foster, a #KennesawStateUniversity graduate and IT systems engineer, came within inches of becoming Marietta’s first Black mayor. Despite his youth and outsider status, his campaign resonated deeply with voters calling for affordable housing, better public transit, and a more inclusive city government. His message struck a chord, particularly with young residents and working-class communities.⁠
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Still, the outcome came down to less than 100 votes in a city of nearly 61,000 residents. It was a sharp reminder of how razor-thin margins can decide the future. Every vote mattered. Every missed ballot had an impact. Foster’s near-win wasn’t just a political moment; it was a lesson in civic participation.⁠
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“We have to make sure people who work here can still live here,” Foster stated, highlighting a growing concern in Marietta as costs rise. Supported by progressive organizations and local leaders, Foster nearly reshaped the city’s leadership with the help of those who showed up at the polls.⁠
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Tumlin, 78, has led Marietta since 2010 and retains the position following this narrow victory. But the election sent a powerful message: community voices are growing louder, and engagement is rising...to read the rest log on to BallerAlert.com (clickable link on profile)⁠

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 9,518
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## Tags

thunder, marietta, georgia, samfoster, kennesawstateuniversity

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