Mayor Davis and Gould Hagler prepare for Augusta's Mayor Race

Monday, May 21, 2018

News 12 @ 6 O'clock / NBC 26 at 7

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- With less than 24 hours before the polls open, newcomer Gould Hagler and current Mayor Hardie Davis are pushing for the last minute votes.

“I've consistently talked about what we've been able to accomplish together and that's what the campaign is about let’s focus on our future together,” said Hardie Davis, Augusta Mayor, and Incumbent.

Mayor Davis says his future is to create "one Augusta" if elected for a second term he plans to fix abandoned and vacant homes, focus on downtown housing and infrastructure.

Gould Hagler has other plans.

“For me, empower the private sector. I want to prioritize public safety and I want to give the citizens their voice back,” said Gould Hagler, Augusta Mayor Candidate.

Hagler says if elected he also plans to take a hard look at the mayor's budget but it's not just new faces on Augusta's commission.

The future of the James Brown Arena is also at stake.

That's an issue dividing the commission and the candidates.

“My stance has always been that I would prefer to see it stay downtown - but my opinion shouldn’t count any more than somebody else's just because of who I am,” said Hagler.

“We have an opportunity to let our citizens weigh in on that and they will tomorrow and based on what the outcome of that is that'll determine how we move forward -- if we build an arena in Augusta or not,” said Mayor Hardie.