David Belle Isle officially stepped down as mayor of Alpharetta on Wednesday after completing nearly all of his two-term limit to bring full-time focus to his campaign for Secretary of State.

Belle Isle said, “today is a bittersweet day and one that I knew would eventually come.  It’s been my sincere privilege to serve the people of Alpharetta, and I now look forward to serving all citizens of Georgia as their next Secretary of State.”

Belle Isle’s immediate successor is Mayor Pro-Tem Donald Mitchell.  

Alpharetta City Councilman, Dan Merkel, said, “David’s leadership and work with the council has been instrumental in growing to over 640 technology companies, which produced over 12,000 new technology jobs in just five years.”

When asked specifically about why he chose to pursue Secretary of State, Belle Isle said, “I’m looking to apply the leadership model we used so successfully in Alpharetta to do two things: defeat voter fraud and champion Georgia jobs. I’ve traveled this state and have seen many communities that are down to their last industry. Those communities deserve someone who will fight to make sure they have the tools necessary to achieve their own prosperity.”

Belle Isle wants to bring a voter ID requirement to the absentee ballot process, deliver broadband to rural communities, and make Georgia the easiest and fastest place to grow and start a business.

Belle Isle’s experience as an executive leader, mayor, a small business owner, his familiarity with the technology sector, and his proven leadership in facilitating job growth strikes a sharp contrast and allows him to stand out amongst the state legislators who are also vying for the chance to represent the Republican Party in the general election in November.

The election for the Republican Primary is scheduled May 22, 2018.