Former Dahlonega Mayor Sam Norton, who presided over City Hall for a four-year term spanning from November 2017 to November 2021, has officially announced a bid to return to his former role.
Norton delivered his remarks during the April meeting of the Lumpkin County Republican Party (LCRP), which was held at the Parks & Rec Community Center last Thursday.
“I’ve got three businesses downtown, have raised three kids and now we’re raising grandchildren, so I’m fully vested [in Dahlonega]. I say that, because it’s time to get back in the fight,” Norton declared triumphantly.
Norton’s fledgling candidacy was quickly endorsed by several prominent City and County officials in attendance for the meeting, including City Councilmen Ross Shirley and Johnny Ariemma, former Councilman Ron Larson, Sheriff Stacy Jarrard and County Chairman Chris Dockery.
According to acting Election Supervisor Ashley Peck, the four local races in this year’s Municipal General Election to be held on November 5, 2025 include Mayor as well as City Council posts one, two and three.
RE-ELECTION RACE
Outgoing LCRP Chair Katherine James, who announced that she is being replaced by J.J. Jorgensen as party chair, emceed the April event.
“The theme for tonight is the future of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County,” James said at the outset.
She noted that whether it is the City or County, what one side does affects the other.
“The City and the County are working hard to continue to build a bridge, not a wall, so that they can work together and not be splintered or fragmented,” James said before introducing Shirley as the first guest speaker of the evening.
Shirley said it has been an honor to serve on the Council for the last three plus years, and that he is asking the public for one more opportunity.
“I need your help: I’d like to stay in politics one more term. One more term. I’ve got my feet down pretty good, and feeling pretty good about what we need to do that I think would help not only the City, but the community as a whole,” Shirley told the crowd.
He said the composition of the Council “affects what we do years down the road, and it’s important that we stay focused on that.”
Shirley also called for what he referred to as “unity in the community.”
“And what I mean by that is the City, the County and the University [of North Georgia], all the people that are here … we have such a talented group of folks. If everybody is pulling together with a little bit of collaboration and not worrying too much about turf and competition we can have a fabulous, fabulous community,” he said while acknowledging the challenges ahead related to growth and infrastructure.
Dockery was the next official invited to speak, and began by promoting his working relationship with Shirley.
“Ross and I communicate on a regular basis. It doesn’t sell papers if the City and County get along, does it?” he asked rhetorically.
“Good news is not real fun to report, so the things that are really brought out to the public are things that aren’t as pleasant,” he continued before asserting that “on 95 percent of stuff … we sit down and talk about it and we work it out.”
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT
Finally, Norton himself took to the podium to tease his involvement in the upcoming race.
He invited others to get involved in public service, as well.
“I think we need to get off the fence and get back in the fight and volunteer for some of these positions, because that’s what sets our trajectory right there. These committees and authorities bring their work product to the City Council, to the County Commissioners, and most of the time, nine times out of ten, what they say is what happens,” Norton said.
He likened the City and County to a baseball team.
“The County’s got the outfield and the City’s in the infield … We’re going to have to work together to get things done,” Norton said.
When the floor was opened for questions, James prodded Norton further.
“So are you going to make an official announcement, besides being committed to the City of Dahlonega?” James asked.
Norton answered that he is “all in” on running for Dahlonega Mayor.
“Do you anticipate any liberals running against you?” James asked next.
“I don’t know what other candidates may or may not do. It’s a full plate just knowing what I’m going to do. I’m going to be in with both feet. We’ve got a lot of important work to do, and Dahlonega is worth the fight,” he declared.
RAPID ENDORSEMENTS
At that point, Larson seized the opportunity to praise Norton.
“I served on City Council for about eight years,” Larson said. “I’m standing up tonight to say to you that I think the return of Mr. Norton to the role of Mayor in our town is the right thing to do at the right time. So I would just like to ask for you to be sure and get behind Sam and make sure you vote on November 5, or before.”
Sheriff Stacy Jarrard said he approves of Norton’s previous stint as Mayor.
“I appreciate working with you. I’d love to work with you again. You’ve got a great brother that is a sheriff, also,” Jarrard said.
Ariemma also endorsed Norton’s mayoral bid.
“I’m here to tell you after 11 years on the council, we have backed up the last four years. So I’m so thankful that Sam is coming back, because he’s everything he says he is and more … Let’s get him elected,” he said.
Dockery also lent his unequivocal support.
“He’s a man I can trust with the County. We could talk openly and I never had to worry about Sam trying to backdoor anything. And I think that’s important. When you have that relationship between two local governments, you’ve got a recipe for success,” Dockery said before announcing his “100 percent full support” for Norton.
UNDISCLOSED OPPOSITION
After the event, The Nugget reached out to Mayor JoAnne Taylor to ask if she was ready to announce her own re-election effort.
“Qualification is in August; I will announce plans then,” Taylor replied via email. “Meanwhile, I encourage anyone interested in serving as Mayor or on Council to consider running. Contested elections are essential for voters to understand what each candidate stands for. This is a very important election cycle for the future of Dahlonega.”
Taylor elaborated on the Council’s important workload for this year, which includes “completing a zoning update, continuing to appeal to our state legislators for assistance with reducing the debt on the water plant which is a burden for city residents and customers, and making progress on essential infrastructure projects such as the pedestrian bridge at Lake Zwerner.”