WTOC: INTERVIEW: Tyrisha Davis running to be next Savannah mayor

Tyrisha is originally from Iowa. She moved to Savannah from Arizona, and also pursued her education in the medical field in Arizona.

Tyrisha "T.L." Davis's campaign for mayor is her first entry into politics.

As of June 8, 2025, Tyrisha T.L. Davis did not have a website or any information online.

Natural Resources & the Environment

Wants to team up with the director of The Dive, a ministry organization in order to provide more funding for homelessness.

Supports the buying of abandoned homes and converting them as a solution for homelessness.

Intends to partner with Habitat for Humanity in order to create more affordable housing.

Advocates for selling city bonds to offset rising housing costs.

- Wants to team up with the director of The Dive, a ministry organization in order to provide more funding for homelessness.
- Supports the buying of abandoned homes and converting them as a solution for homelessness.
- Intends to partner with Habitat for Humanity in order to create more affordable housing.
- Advocates for selling city bonds to offset rising housing costs.

Housing & Urban Development

Plans to create a mediator unit as way to lower crime.

- Plans to create a mediator unit as way to lower crime.

Public Safety

Savannahnow: Georgia Southern hosts forum

Wants younger residents of Savannah to become more involved in the government.

Declared the need for a new voice on council.

Believes that the community needs unification.

- Wants younger residents of Savannah to become more involved in the government.
- Declared the need for a new voice on council.
- Believes that the community needs unification.

Public Services

Supports converting the Civic Center into a sporting facility for residents.

- Supports converting the Civic Center into a sporting facility for residents.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Tyrisha T.L. Davis

Savannah, GA: Post 1 At-large

Kesha earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Fort Valley State University, and a master's degree in public administration from Savannah State University. She was awarded the Advocate of the Year award in 2015 by the United Way of the Coastal Empire. Kesha is married and has three children.

LinkedIn

Kesha is the executive director of the Rape Crisis Center of the Coastal Empire, Inc., and she co-owned and founded 2717, which is an educational & sports training facility for student athletes. Kesha was an adjunct instructor and lead faculty at St. Leo University.

Kesha Gibson-Carter is currently a city council member for Savannah.

As of October 26, Kesha Gibson-Carter's website was not working, so we could not obtain information for where she stood on this issue.

- As of October 26, Kesha Gibson-Carter's website was not working, so we could not obtain information for where she stood on this issue.

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Kesha Gibson-Carter

The Tiger's Roar, Van Johnson, SSU alum, takes mayoral seat

The Savannah Tribune, We Stand with Van Johnson

Van is originally from Brooklyn, New York. He has lived in Savannah since his college years. He has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Savannah State University and a master's degree in public administration and public policy analysis from Georgia Southern University. He is also a nationally certified human resources professional and a Georgia-certified law enforcement professional.

Van is the director of the Chatham County Youth Commission. He used to be a talk show radio host, political commentator, and human resources manager for Chatham County.

Van R. Johnson is currently the mayor of Savannah. He was first elected in 2019 and has been in office for one term. He was elected as alderman for the City of Savannah in 2004 and served for three terms. During his tenure as an alderman, he served as mayor pro-tem and vice chairman of Savannah City Council.

As of June 8, 2025, Van R. Johnson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Savannah Morning News, Savannah City Council District 1 candidates

Said, "gangs and groups that act as gangs create problems for Savannah that need to be addressed just as people selling drugs or trying to obtain them present their own challenges to public safety."

Wants to make gun licenses harder to obtain.

Supports a system-wide approach to addressing juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, illegal weapons, mental health.

As mayor, he reduced the criminal penalty for possession of marijuana from arrest to a fine and a ticket.

- Said, "gangs and groups that act as gangs create problems for Savannah that need to be addressed just as people selling drugs or trying to obtain them present their own challenges to public safety."
- Wants to make gun licenses harder to obtain.
- Supports a system-wide approach to addressing juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, illegal weapons, mental health.
- As mayor, he reduced the criminal penalty for possession of marijuana from arrest to a fine and a ticket.

Plans to reduce poverty through education and a living wage.

Wants to attract international businesses while still expanding and developing local and small businesses.

Wants to ensure Savannah maintains its historic designation.

- Plans to reduce poverty through education and a living wage.
- Wants to attract international businesses while still expanding and developing local and small businesses.
- Wants to ensure Savannah maintains its historic designation.

Plants to implement an affordable downtown parking plan.

- Wants to improve sidewalks and streets.
- Plants to implement an affordable downtown parking plan.
- Supports port deepening.

Van R. Johnson

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor runs the city day to day and prepares the budget each year, meaning that they propose how much funding goes to each city department, including the police department, city parks, transportation, and the fire department. 
- The mayor also hires the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and city department heads, such as City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation. 
- Most Georgia mayors are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 