Dalton Councilmember Sams resigns, running for mayor

Annalee Sams (Courtesy: City of Dalton)

DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) — Annalee Harlan Sams resigned from being a member of the Dalton City Council so that she can run for mayor.

Sams resigned her seat on Monday, July 17 at noon.

According to the press release on the matter, “Georgia law requires elected officials to vacate their office before seeking election for another position if their new term would begin more than 30 days before the end of their existing term in office.”

They added that Sams’ council seat will be on the ballot this November. Her term was supposed to end in 2025.

Monday night, the mayor and council will meet and introduce a resolution to accept Sams’ resignation. They will declare a special election to fill her spot.

The press release adds, “The unexpired portion of Sams’ term as the Ward 2 representative will be on the ballot during the November general election.”

In addition, current mayor David Pennington’s term expires at the end of 2023. He said he will not seek another term.