The 1973 Atlanta City Council took place on October 2, 1973, to elect the Atlanta City Council, which was the first election since the replacement of the six-member Atlanta Board of Aldermen with the 19-member City Council (which was formalized by a 1974 Charter Review Commission). The election took place concurrently with the 1973 Atlanta mayoral election. A runoff for several seats was held on October 16, 1973.
In the same election, Atlanta voters elected Alderman Wyche Fowler as President of the Atlanta City Council. Fowler defeated Reverend Hosea Williams in a runoff election. In the primary election, Fowler and Williams finished first and second, respectively, followed by former Alderman Wade Mitchell and Rector Robert B. Hunter.
The 1973 election saw a rise in the influence of African-American politicians in Atlanta. Five new black City Council members were added to create a 9–9 split, while two black women were elected to the Atlanta Board of Education for a 5-4 black majority.
Council President
Declared candidates
Joel Aber Wyche Fowler, lawyer, former chief of staff for congressmember Charles L. Weltner Robert B. Hunter, clergyman, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church Wade Mitchell, incumbent alderman, banker Cecil Turner, incumbent alderman, real estate lawyer Hosea Williams, civil rights activist and research chemist
Runoff candidates
Wyche Folwer, won Hosea Williams
District 1
Declared candidates
John H. Calhoun, civil rights activist won John Releford
District 2
Declared candidates
Charles Helms, Presbyterian clergymember Sam Sheats, barber Samuel Lee Stephens
Runoff candidates
Charles Helms, won Sam Sheats
District 3
Declared candidates
Eunice Cooper John Daniels James Howard Frank "Sonny" Jones Tillman Ward J. Lowell Ware, publisher of Atlanta Voice
Runoff candidates
Eunice Cooper James Howard, won
District 4
Declared candidates
James Bond Malcolm J. Dean Mildred Glover Ethel M. Mathews Jesse Williams
Runoff candidates
James Bond, won Mildred Glover
District 5
Declared candidates
Morris Finley, won Charles Turner
District 6
Declared candidates
Edward G. Hartline Tom Houck, civil rights activist Nick G. Lambros, incumbent alderman, former state representative won
District 7
Declared candidates
Ray Abernathy George Cotsakis Roger Kelton Frank Salley Hank Schwab
Runoff candidates
Ray Abernathy George Cotsakis, won
District 8
Declared candidates
Tom Corish Richard Guthman, banker C. J. Lynch G. Everett Millican, incumbent alderman
Runoff candidates
Richard Guthman, won G. Everett Millican
District 9
Declared candidates
Brady Barnett Jr. Robert "Bob" Lane Arthur Langford Jr., Baptist clergymember won
District 10
Declared candidates
Lorenzo Benn, businessman Gloria Thomas Borders Ira Jackson, won Cecil Mc? McLean Ryburn G. Stephens Calvin Thornton
District 11
Declared candidates
James F. Maddox Sr. Carl Ware
Runoff candidates
James F. Maddox Sr. Carl Ware, won
District 12
Declared candidates
Runoff candidates
Hugh Pierce, won Cozier Smith
At-Large Post 13
Declared candidates
Runoff candidates
E. Gregory Griggs, won Robb Pitts
At-Large Post 14
Declared candidates
Marvin S. Arrington Sr., won
At-Large Post 15
Declared candidates
Panke Bradley, won H. D. Dodson
At-Large Post 16
Declared candidates
Chuck Driebe Buddy Fowlkes, won
At-Large 17
Declared candidates
Q. V. Williamson, won
At-Large 18
Declared candidates
Jack Summers, won
References