Landslide Victory: ‘Gen Z’ Terry Fye defeats incumbent Rob Turner for Stonecrest City Council, Post 2

STONCREST, GA—Voters said yes to a new leader for the Stonecrest City Council, Post 2 seat.

Terry Fye, an alumni of Miller Grove High School and Georgia State University, overwhelmingly defeated incumbent Rob Turner in the Dec. 5 runoff for the Post 2 Stonecrest City Council seat.

Fye commanded a strong lead early on as advanced voting ballots were tallied.  Fye received a whopping 74.32 percent (301 votes), while Rob Turner received 25.68(104 votes), according to unofficial results with all 6 precincts reporting by the end of the night. The results will be certified at the DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections meeting on Monday, Dec. 11, at 9 a.m.

Rob Turner had served on the City Council for two terms. As one of the city’s founding council members, he was first elected in 2017.

Fye thanked God and supporters for his victory, posting on Facebook:

“Thank you for allowing me to serve. I am humbled to start the work and work to Restore Faith In Stonecrest. Thank you to everyone who donated, supported, wrote comments, and gave feedback to help make our team better and allow us to execute our plan.

I promise to fight on the ground to ensure your voice is never locked out. I also promise to make sure this isn’t the only time you hear from me. Believe me, just cause the Election is over doesn’t mean your door ain’t finna get a visit.

Thank you mostly to my Lord, family, and friends for everything. I would not be here without you.”

Fye also posted a prayer for the city on Facebook:

“Today, I give this seat to our Father and ask him to guide us in everything.

I ask that our community forgive what was done to us before and yield all to your greatness so we may prosper. Let the past be dead. I ask that we no longer PREY on Stonecrest, but PRAY for Stonecrest.

Through our Father, I pray this seat is used to rebuild the dialogue our community needs, uplift the stakeholders, and Restore Faith in Stonecrest.

In Your Name Amen.”

The 26-year-old Fye, who has never held public office and describes himself as a “Gen Z” cohort (those born between 1997-2003) will be the youngest person to serve on the City Council when he is sworn into office. Stonecrest Mayor Jazzmin Cobble, who was re-elected on Nov. 7, 2023, formerly was the youngest member of the City Council. Cobble is a Gen Y cohort (millennial)—those born between 1981 to 1996.

Fye campaigned on promises to restore transparency in the city, attract slow and smart development, provide resources to HOAs and reform public safety, among other goals. Residents have commented on social media that Fye waged a door-to-door campaign actively seeking votes.

Photos via terryfye.com

According to his campaign web site, Fye successfully pushed for the city of Stonecrest—DeKalb County’s largest municipality—to pass an ordinance to decriminalize the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana “to protect citizens from overbearing government.”  The City Council unanimously approved the measure in August 2022.

Fye’s web site does not mention his employment. However, it does mention that he has lived in Stonecrest since he was 13. He touts his community service as a student leader at Georgia State University, where he created a pilot program to provide free menstrual products on campus for women and mentored freshman as well as pushed for more youths to become involved in their communities, among other initiatives.

More on Terry Fye: https://terryfye.com/about

My background 

“My name is Terry Fye, and I am fighting to Restore Faith in Stonecrest. 

Calling Stonecrest home since I was 13, I’ve watched the community come into its own and grow up alongside it. As an alumni of Miller Grove High School, I’ve worked as a young leader in my collegiate and political career to fight for a transparent and accountable government.

• During my time as a student leader at Georgia State, I fought to 
• Create a pilot program for free menstrual products on campus
• Fought to protect students during COVID-19 by introducing a Pass/Fail Resolution to the USG

• Mentored young freshmen and guided them through their first years
• Educated and engaged students on the importance of youth involvement in their community

Since Graduating, I’ve been blessed to work for the community in Stonecrest and Lithonia by advocating for the passage of two ordinances to decriminalize cannabis under an ounce in city limits to protect citizens from overbearing government. 

Im a Gen-Z leader who believes in a Stonecrest that’s responsive to her citizens and active in their lives. Im asking to become your newest city councilman to continue that mission.”

Terry Fye discusses his platform at a candidates’ forum.