John Harber announced his candidacy for mayor of Atoka on Friday, seeking the seat currently held by Mayor Barry Akin.
Harber, who has served two terms as an Atoka alderman and owns a local construction company, said his campaign will focus on board unity and resident-centered governance.
“My priority will be bringing the board together and keeping our focus on where it belongs: on the residents of Atoka,” Harber said in a statement announcing his candidacy.
Harber cited 17 years of managing his construction business and his time as alderman as preparation for the mayor’s office.
“As a two-term alderman and 17 years of managing a successful company, I have the experience to lead our town forward,” he said.
To support the campaign, Harber said his wife, Rebecca, is leaving her position as academic coordinator for Cultural Homestay International in the West Tennessee area. He said she will take over day-to-day operations of the family’s construction company beginning next month, handling client communication, scheduling and administrative management.
Harber said the arrangement will allow him to dedicate his full attention to the campaign and, if elected, to Atoka’s residents.
Incumbent Mayor Barry Akin has not yet announced whether he will seek re-election.
Harber’s announcement comes more than six weeks before candidates can formally enter the race.
According to the Tennessee Secretary of State, the petition pickup window for municipal candidates on the November ballot opens June 22. The qualifying deadline is Aug. 20 at noon, the date by which all candidates must file to appear on the ballot.
More information about Harber’s campaign is available at harberforatoka.com.
The first thing he needs to do is make Coats of Color Paint and Construction take down that blatantly racist “Say No to Muslim Care” sign they had for years. Racist as all get out.
I am so proud and excited to see John stepping up to run for mayor and for Rebecca stepping in to take over the day-to-day operations of their family business. I’ve always known them as a power couple who work hard, care deeply about people, and carry themselves with integrity.
John has built himself from the ground up, with Rebecca by his side as his loving and supportive wife. Together they have two sons serving in the military and a beautiful, talented daughter who dances and just graduated high school.
He also built his own construction company and has spent years serving people in and around his community.
He is the real deal, and I truly don’t know anyone who would be a better fit for the role. It would be an honor for Atoka to have him serve as mayor. I know I can be a little eccentric, but I’m genuinely excited to see what he accomplishes, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him continue doing bigger things in the future.