Melisa Mims announces bid for Rockdale County Commissioner, pledges people-focused leadership

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA — Melisa Mims, former director of Communications and Marketing for Rockdale County government, has officially announced her campaign for Rockdale County Commissioner, Post II in the 2026 election. 

Mims, a Democrat, is seeking the seat currently held by Commissioner Doreen Williams, who has served on the Board of Commissioners since 2015. 

Early voting for the primary runs April 27-May 15. Election day is scheduled May 19, 2026. 

In her announcement, Mims said that she is driven by a commitment to place residents at the center of local decision-making.

 “I am running for Rockdale County Commissioner because I believe in putting people at the center of leadership,” said Mims, a seasoned strategist and community activist who has partnered with many Rockdale organizations over the years. “What sets me apart is my ability to connect strategy with purpose. Throughout my career, I’ve built strong teams, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, directed crisis communications, and delivered award-winning campaigns—but at the core, my work has always been about people.”

Mims says her campaign will focus on collaborative and accountable leadership—one that ensures that every resident has a voice in shaping Rockdale County’s future. 

“Programs are not just initiatives; they are pathways to community well-being, equity, and belonging,” Mims said. “I am ready to bring that same energy, expertise, and commitment to strengthen our community relationships and ensure that every resident feels seen, heard, and acknowledged as an essential part of our collective quality of life.”

Mims understands the importance of being community connected. She highlighted her long history of civic engagement. A mother of two sons and a daughter, Mims served five years as a PTA Council, implementing Prayer with a Purpose, an annual event uniting clergy members and other community members to pray for Rockdale students and parents before the start of each school year. She currently serves on the Rockdale County Superintendent Advisory Council and is a member of the Covington Area Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Inc. Mims is also a graduate of Leadership Rockdale, and the Regional Leadership Institute.

If elected, Mims said she plans to focus on smart growth and responsive development, community wellbeing, and accountable and responsive leadership.

“I believe in the power of community, and I believe in Rockdale. This is our moment to work together, move forward together, and create meaningful change for the people who call this county home, stated Mims.

At A Glance:

Mims has served with the following:  

Shoal Creek PTA President

CJ Hicks PTA President

Heritage High School PTA President

Rockdale PTA Council District President

Rockdale County Superintendent Advisory Council-current

Savannah State University National Alumni Association

2016-2021 -Rockdale County SPLOST Member

2021- Present Rockdale Career Academy Advisory Board Member

2022 -Rockdale Leadership Graduate

2022 – Regional Leadership Institute Graduate

Member Covington Area Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Inc. 

Education/Leadership/Community Service 

B.A. Mass Communication, Savannah State University. 

M.A., Psychology, with a specialty in Organizational Leadership, University of the Colorado Rockies

Leadership Rockdale 

Regional Leadership Institute.

Covington Area Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Inc. 

Melisa Mims’s Top Priorities

Smart Growth & Responsible Development

Modernize Rockdale’s Growth Without Overburdening Residents

• Implement a Community-First Development Review Process:
  Require developers to meet with nearby residents before major zoning decisions. 
• Strengthen Infrastructure Requirements:
  Tie new development approvals to infrastructure capacity. No project should move forward unless there is a clear plan for road improvements, water/sewer capacity, and school impact mitigation.
• Promote Balanced Development & Revitalize Existing Commercial Areas:
  Attract businesses that bring quality jobs while preserving green space and community character. Advocate for a business recruitment strategy that prioritizes tech, healthcare, small business expansion, and family-friendly retail.
  Focus on redeveloping underused corridors rather than expanding sprawl. Encourage mixed-use projects and incentives for revitalizing aging shopping centers.
• Protect Property Values:
  Ensure zoning and land-use decisions enhance—not erode—neighborhood stability and homeowner equity.

Community Well-Being & Public Safety

Create a Safer, Healthier, More Connected Rockdale

• Fully Support Public Safety Personnel:
  Advocate for competitive salaries, modern equipment, and ongoing training for law enforcement, fire, and EMS—ensuring they have the resources to protect and serve effectively. 
• Senior Safety & Support Network
  Regular wellness checks, fall-prevention workshops, and partnerships with public safety to educate seniors about scams, emergency preparedness, and home safety.
• Youth Civic Leadership Council
  A formal advisory group where students help identify community needs, participate in local government, and lead service projects.

Accountable & Responsive Leadership

Leadership That Listens, Communicates, and Delivers

• Increase Transparency & Accessibility:
  Hold regular community listening sessions, make county updates easier to understand, and ensure residents have direct access to decisions that affect them.
• Strengthen Budget Accountability:
  Push for performance-based budgeting, ensuring county spending clearly aligns with community needs and taxpayer expectations.
• Champion Ethical, People-First Government:
  Lead with integrity, fairness, and a clear commitment to doing what’s best for Rockdale—not what’s politically convenient