Peachtree City's 2025 election season is finally over. It was one of the most combative and divisive campaigns in our city's history, marked by sharp rhetoric, misinformation, and a clear divide between those pushing to move the city forward and those clinging to old grievances. After months of signs, forums, and social media battles, the voters have spoken.
Here are the results:
In total, just over 11,000 residents cast ballots in this year's mayoral race, a sharp increase from the 6,554 votes cast in 2021's general election.
I've followed these races closely throughout the year and shared my thoughts in earlier columns. Now that the results are in, it is worth reflecting on what these campaigns revealed.
Mayor Kim Learnard ran a disciplined and confident campaign that focused on results rather than rhetoric. She stayed positive, emphasized her record, and communicated clearly what had been accomplished during her first term. The strategy worked.
Learnard's message centered on stability, safety, and fiscal responsibility. She reminded voters that the city remains financially sound, fully staffed in public safety, and actively reinvesting in recreation and redevelopment. Her campaign never veered into negativity even as her opponent went on the attack. That contrast helped define the race.
By focusing on tangible accomplishments rather than promises, Learnard made a persuasive case that experience and steady leadership deliver results. Voters rewarded her approach with a decisive victory and a clear mandate.
Steve Brown ran a campaign that was toxic and dishonest. From the moment he entered the race, it was clear his goal was to settle old scores and attack anyone who disagreed with him.
He spent months spreading misinformation about city finances, transparency, and ethics. His claims were repeatedly proven false, yet he continued to repeat them as though saying them often enough would make them true. Every time he was confronted with facts, he simply attacked the people presenting them. It was never about truth or ideas. It was about feeding outrage and keeping himself at the center of attention.
Brown presented no plan for how he would serve the city if elected. He had no ideas, no agenda, and no sense of responsibility to the people he claimed to represent. The entire campaign was a performance built on grievance and ego. It was the same destructive style of politics that defined his first term as mayor two decades ago when he feuded constantly with council members and city staff instead of accomplishing anything of value.
His loss was not just deserved. It was overdue. Peachtree City has grown, matured, and evolved since his time in office. He has not. And the message from voters could not be clearer: we are done with his chaos, his falsehoods, and his endless need for relevance.
The era of Steve Brown is over. Let's see if he recognizes that.
James Clifton entered this race with potential. He is intelligent, accomplished, and seemed ready to offer a new perspective for Peachtree City. All he had to do was run his own campaign. Instead, he chose to become Steve Brown's sidekick, and that decision destroyed his candidacy.
From the start, Clifton's campaign looked less like an independent bid and more like an extension of Brown's anger. He copied Brown's talking points, mimicked his tone, and repeated the same false claims about city leadership and finances that voters had already heard. Whatever individuality Clifton might have had disappeared the moment he decided to join Brown's crusade.
Clifton could have stood on his own record, shared his own ideas, and earned respect as a fresh, independent voice. Instead, he absorbed every ounce of Brown's toxicity and made it his own. When Brown told voters, "If you're not voting for Mr. Clifton, don't vote for me," it confirmed what everyone already knew: Clifton wasn't running to represent Peachtree City. He was running to represent Steve Brown.
Voters saw right through it. They recognized a candidate who traded independence for allegiance and potential for imitation. His defeat wasn't bad luck or misfortune. It was the predictable outcome of a campaign built on someone else's resentment.
Clifton had every opportunity to stand on his own and every reason to succeed. Instead, he chose to be a mouthpiece for Steve Brown. That decision cost him this election, and it will be remembered if he chooses to run again.
Michael Polacek ran the kind of campaign Peachtree City deserves: disciplined, informed, and focused on ideas rather than outrage. In a year dominated by negativity, his professionalism stood out.
Polacek did not try to dazzle voters with theatrics. Instead, he talked about process, planning, and results. His background in state government and health policy gave him credibility on complex issues like budgeting, growth management, and intergovernmental relations.
Polacek also benefited from contrast. Against James Clifton's imitation of Steve Brown's chaos, Polacek looked like the adult in the room. Voters recognized that difference, and they rewarded him with a clear victory.
Voters Rewarded Clint Holland's Commitment To Principles And Overlooked His Controversies
Clint Holland ran his own campaign, separate from the noise and negativity that surrounded Steve Brown and James Clifton. By staying focused on his record and his own ideas, he maintained his independence and avoided being dragged down by their baggage. Voters noticed.
Throughout his first term, Holland has done his homework and stood by his convictions. Whether people agree with him or not, they know exactly where he stands. That level of consistency helped him build enough trust to win re-election.
At the same time, Holland's approach created friction. His handling of the FY2026 budget process frustrated some residents who felt his intensity and unwillingness to compromise slowed progress and made collaboration more difficult. His demanding style, while thorough, didn't always win allies, and that controversy almost certainly tightened his race.
Even so, voters ultimately decided that Holland's independence and accomplishments on council outweighed the friction. They recognized someone who takes the job seriously and won't compromise his principles for political convenience. In a year defined by division, that kind of consistency stood out, and it earned him another term.
Joe Campbell Represented The Best In Local Politics, Even Without The Win
Joe Campbell was one of the best first-time candidates Peachtree City has seen. He ran a positive, well-organized campaign that focused on communication, common sense, and collaboration. He stayed focused on the issues, avoided personal attacks, and showed that he understood how city government should work.
Campbell's message of practicality and teamwork resonated with voters who are tired of drama and division. He talked about maintenance, budgeting, and long-term planning in ways that were easy to understand. His campaign reflected the kind of leadership style residents often say they want: approachable, grounded, and focused on getting things done.
In the end, Campbell's loss was not a reflection of weakness. It was the result of a close race between two good candidates. Clint Holland's experience and established reputation likely gave him a narrow edge, but Campbell deserves real respect and appreciation.
Peachtree City needs people like Joe Campbell. He ran for the right reasons and demonstrated the kind of temperament that builds trust. I hope he stays involved in the community and considers running again in the future.
With all three races decided and no runoffs needed, Peachtree City can finally move forward. After months of intense campaigning, nobody won in a landslide, but the victories were decisive endorsements of mature governance over chaos.
The high turnout also shows residents are paying attention and expect results. Mayor Learnard, Councilmember Holland, and incoming Councilmember Polacek have a responsibility to deliver. The city faces real challenges: managing growth, maintaining infrastructure, and preserving what makes Peachtree City unique. I wish them the best because their success will be our success.
As for me, this is my final column of 2025. I'm taking full advantage of the holidays with a much-needed break.
Thank you for reading my column this year. I hope the rest of your year is great and that 2026 brings good things for Peachtree City.