Bender Steps Down from City Council

, a Snellville councilwoman since 2005, has resigned from her post to officially vie for mayor of the city.

She stepped down at the city's Monday council meeting, where new business included a resolution for a special election to fill her seat. Law requires that she resign from her position when seeking another position.

“It has been an honor to serve the people of Snellville on the City Council for the last six years," she said in a press statement. "I am proud of the meaningful accomplishments I have achieved. Within the last year, we have made tremendous steps to move Snellville forward."

Bender, who has raised nearly $20,000 for her campaign, is so far the only person to announce a run for mayor. Snellville mayor Jerry Oberholtzer is nearing the end of his term, and he cannot run again.

In her time on council, Bender pointed to accomplishments: a comprehensive plan for the town center, a new public safety facility, and a budget that reduced taxes for citizens that she proposed.

"It is vital that we continue moving Snellville forward," she said. "This election will determine whether Snellville continues moving forward or goes back to the stagnation of the past."

The special election to fill Bender's seat will take place in conjuntion with the general election on Novmber 8. The qualifying period for this seat opens August 29 and ends September 2.

, a local businessman, has already announced his intention to run for Bender's seat.

Bender is a local accountant and vice president of Hamilton Financial in Snellville. She has been married to her husband, Greg, for 27 years, and the two have two children.

Brief Bio on Bender

• Served on the Snellville City Council since 2005
• Representative at the Gwinnett Municipal Association on the Planning Advisory Committee for the Gwinnett County 2030 Unified Plan
• Participated in the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Community Planning Academy
• Graduate of the Georgia Municipal Association’s training course
• Past treasurer of the Snellville Commerce Club
• Served on the Gwinnett Municipal Board in 2009
• Leadership Gwinnett alumni of the class of 2010-2011