— Community organizer and advocate Marquese “Skinny” Averett formally announced his candidacy Monday afternoon for the Columbus City Council District 7 seat during a gathering at the South Columbus Public Library.
The District 7 seat is currently held by Councilor Joanne Cogle, who is running for mayor. Averett is one of three candidates seeking the seat, alongside Chris Kelley, Deputy District Director to Congressman Sanford Bishop, and Becca Zajac, executive director of Dragonfly Trails Inc.
District 7 includes South Columbus, Uptown/Downtown, Bibb city and Bellwood areas. The district has a population of 24,737 and is approximately 64% Black and 22% white, according to census data. It was previously represented for 27 years by Councilor Evelyn “Mimi” Woodson…