By Andrian Putra
Duluth, September 2, 2025 — Shafayat Ahmed, a longtime Georgia resident and community volunteer, has launched an independent campaign for Duluth City Council Post 1, pledging to improve schools, expand homeownership, and maintain the city’s reputation as one of Gwinnett County’s most welcoming communities.
Ahmed, who has lived in Georgia for nearly two decades and in Duluth for the past four years, said his priorities reflect the concerns of families who want both opportunity and stability.
“I want to help elevate Duluth to match or exceed neighboring Suwanee and Johns Creek in school performance ratings and homeownership,” Ahmed said in an interview. “There’s more room for improvement, and I believe we can get there.”
Currently a senior software engineer and a graduate of Georgia State University’s Perimeter College, Ahmed is no stranger to civic involvement. He serves on the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals, graduated from Duluth’s L.E.A.D. civic engagement program, and has volunteered with the Duluth Fall Festival. He describes leadership as starting with “listening to everyone.”
If elected, Ahmed said he would work closely with the Gwinnett County Board of Education to raise academic standards and expand resources for students. He also called for additional investments in public safety, including more police personnel and security cameras, noting Duluth currently ranks ninth in Georgia for safety.
Homeownership, however, remains a central theme of his campaign. While Duluth’s homeownership rate stands at 52%, Johns Creek and Suwanee boast rates above 80%. Ahmed argues that boosting ownership is key to long-term community stability. “I want to incentivize residents to become homeowners and maintain their residency in Duluth,” he said.
His platform also emphasizes continued downtown revitalization, new incentives for small businesses, and improvements to the city’s parks and recreation system.
Born in Bangladesh and raised in the United States since 2006, Ahmed said his personal journey has shaped his belief in Duluth’s potential. He and his family chose to settle in the city because of its diversity, strong neighborhoods, and small-town charm.
“Duluth offers the best balance of community, opportunity, and affordability,” Ahmed said. “With the right leadership, it can continue to grow without losing the qualities that make it special.”
