Mayor Randall Walker, Christopher Smith face off in Perry mayoral race

In just one week, Perry voters will decide who will lead the city for the next four years. Current Mayor Randall Walker is eyeing another four years in office, while his opponent, Christopher Smith, looks to unseat him.

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – In just one week, Perry voters will decide who will lead the city for the next four years. Current Mayor Randall Walker is eyeing another four years in office, while his opponent, Christopher Smith, looks to unseat him.

Walker has led Perry since his special election victory in 2019. He says one of his proudest accomplishments is working with city leadership to secure $9 million in grants to benefit Perry homeowners.

“We’ve built homes completely,” Walker said. “We’ve gone in and had houses renovated and made those much more livable. Because in many cases, they were substandard.”

If reelected, Walker says he’ll continue efforts to boost Perry’s infrastructure with road projects and replacing sewer lines. He says the East Perry Water Treatment Facility, set to open next year, and the recently opened Jack Link’s plant will spur more growth.

“It will allow us to continue to expand here in Perry, not only housing and a residential element, but industry,” Walker said. “It will allow industry to come into our city.”

Christopher Smith is a seven-year Army veteran and a Perry native. Smith says he entered the race with the same goal in mind as other residents.

“And that’s to slow the growth,” Smith said. “To kind of take a more methodical approach to the way Perry grows and keep the character, you know, what people know.”

With a growing population, Smith says the city must update its roads and increase downtown parking. If elected, the former accountant says a top priority of his will be fiscal responsibility.

“I’m very tight with my own money,” Smith said. “And I feel like the government should be that way with other people’s money as well.”

With Election Day approaching, both candidates made a final pitch to voters. Smith says his Army and corporate experience has prepared him to lead.

“Having logged a bunch of time as a leader, I feel like that gives a good opportunity for me to come and add another character, another flair to the way the City of Perry is run,” Smith said.

Walker says his time spent on the city council and his six years as mayor has helped him learn what’s best for Perry and how to work with city leadership and residents to get results.

“I think my leadership skill is appreciated by a large number of people, and I think I’m the right person for the job,” Walker said.