Steven Kendrick is having an official campaign kickoff Saturday at the tag office he founded.
The former Richmond County tax commissioner who ran for mayor four years ago revealed in July he is challenging Mayor Garnett Johnson for the seat.
The setting — at noon Saturday — reflects what his campaign said he’ll bring to the mayor’s office.
“Now, as Augusta faces the threat of a $21 million budget deficit that could shutter or scale back services he helped build, Kendrick is standing where his impact began — to remind the city that real leadership builds what lasts,” a statement said.
Kendrick received 46.59% of the vote in the June 2022 runoff he lost to Johnson, after outpolling Johnson in the initial nine-way mayor’s race.
This time, Kendrick’s campaign is managed by Jorge Diez of Georgia Strategy Group, who ran Johnson’s successful 2022 campaign as well as Sheriff Gino Brantley’s 2024 race.
Elected tax commissioner in 2008 after a 2006 mayoral bid, Kendrick served until 2022, when he resigned to run for mayor, naming his deputy, Tederell Chris Johnson, as successor. Johnson then appointed Kendrick as his deputy.
As tax commissioner, Kendrick said he modernized operations, adding self-service kiosks and opening satellite offices in South and West Augusta.
“When I walked into this office years ago, I didn’t just see lines of people — I saw opportunity,” he said. “We modernized government, improved customer service and made life easier for families. If we could do that here, imagine what we can do for all of Augusta. That’s what progress looks like — bringing government back to the people.”
Kendrick’s platform is Build. Grow. Unite. Lead:
- Build infrastructure, trust and opportunity that last
- Grow small businesses, family incomes and the city
- United neighborhoods, leaders and generations
- Lead with integrity, innovation and accountability
The kickoff takes place at noon Saturday at the South Augusta Tax Office, 3463A Peach Orchard Road in Augusta.
Johnson had a campaign kickoff Oct. 26.
