Atlanta residents elected bisexual businessman Antonio Brown to be their new District 3 city councilman during a runoff Tuesday night, making the entrepreneur the first Black LGBTQ member on the city council.
According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Brown defeated former Atlanta Public School board member Byron Amos by securing 53.26% of the vote. Amos registered 587 votes in the race while Brown secured 669 votes in his favor. Brown fills the seat left empty by Ivory Lee Young Jr., who passed away in November 2018.
Brown, 34, said to 11Alive at his victory party Tuesday evening that his campaign was purely driven by the community's support.
"I believe the people were tired. They wanted their voices to be heard, and that is a reflection of the outcome of today," he added.
Many rushed to social media to congratulate the luxury menswear designer on his historic win.
You will rise above the moments disguised as defeat. You have no choice as it's the only pathway to greatness. You must arrive! You arrive by enduring, overcoming, and knowing without any doubt or fear that this is exactly where you're supposed to be. ???? @PhaedraW
pic.twitter.com/WRf8fpSiZh— Antonio Brown (@AntonioisMuted) February 5, 2019
Congrats @AntonioisMuted on your win tonight!!! #district3
pic.twitter.com/EOG7fyKZ0P— Lonnell Williams (@3LWTV) April 17, 2019
It was a hard fought race for the Atlanta City Council District 3 seat to replace the late Ivory Lee Young and delighted to see @AntonioisMuted VICTORIOUS!
— Stacey Hopkins (@staceyhopkinsga) April 17, 2019
Congratulations @AntonioisMuted on becoming the newest member of the Atlanta City Council. I look forward to working together on continuing to move District 3 and the city of Atlanta forward. #OneAtlanta
— Keisha Lance Bottoms (@KeishaBottoms) April 17, 2019
Per his official campaign website, Brown also created the Small Business Entrepreneurship Program, an initiative that administers entrepreneurial coaching and encouragement to over 30,000 underprivileged undergraduate students around the country.
One of the councilman-elect's primary agenda items when he takes office will be focusing on affordable housing and food shortages, something Brown told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he relates to after growing up with financial hardships.
"We need to look at the issue that 8% of residents own their homes and most (residents) are dealing with rent-control issues," Brown said to the publication Wednesday.
He also added he would work alongside Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to make sure her proposed initiatives are in the best interest for his nearly 40,000 constituents in Atlanta's west side.
"I'm not just here to go against things (Bottoms) signs into policy, but I am here to hold her accountable to ensure it aligns with the people’s agenda and needs, especially those I represent in District 3," Brown explained.
Congratulations, Councilman-elect Brown!
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