Atlanta City Council member Alex Wan, who is seeking the second-highest elected position in Atlanta government – Atlanta City Council President, raised $85,704.59 in his first campaign finance disclosure period of the race.

The campaign finance disclosure deadline was Jan. 31; Wan’s fundraising is noteworthy, given that he officially announced his run for the office Jan. 4.

“I appreciate the diversity of Atlantans who support building the Atlanta we envision together, as demonstrated by contributions for this reporting period,” Wan says. “This early investment in me and in the future of our city is encouraging. I’m eager to continue working on tough issues like transportation, infrastructure, affordable housing, operational efficiency, sound fiscal stewardship, public safety, individual and collective economic prosperity, and quality of life, and strong support like this will make it possible.”

Wan’s campaign received donations from nearly 200 individuals, representing a broad base of support from District 6 and from across the city. Contributors during this first disclosure period include leaders from the business and civic communities as well as citizens who appreciate Wan’s experience and focus on specific key issues.

“Alex’s track record at City Hall and vision for our city’s future have clearly resonated with Atlantans from his home in Morningside to all corners of the city and beyond,” says Ken Britt, a member of Wan’s finance committee. “The breadth of contributors supports that vision of genuinely collaborative engagement between all of the city’s stakeholders, continuing to move away from politics as usual.”

In his bid for Council President, Wan says he will continue to leverage deep roots in the community, long-time civic leadership, business acumen and his record during seven years at city hall, including many roles in council leadership.

Wan was first elected to the City Council District 6 post in 2009 and easily earned a second term in 2013 with 76 percent of the vote, both times garnering a broad base of support. He is the first Asian American and first openly gay man to serve on Atlanta City Council. He is (currently) Director of Development and Alumni Relations at Emory University.

Raised in Atlanta and a Morningside homeowner for over 20 years, Wan was perhaps best known before his Council win for long-time community involvement, including service on the Invest Atlanta (formerly Atlanta Development Authority) Board and founding For the Kid in All of Us, an all-volunteer non-profit serving children in need. He currently serves on Boards of Directors for the Piedmont Park Conservancy, the Little Five Points Community Improvement District (CID), and the Olmsted Linear Park Association.

He holds a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech, a Finance MBA from Wharton Business School, and has completed educational programs at Dartmouth and Harvard.

The Atlanta City Council President is elected city wide, presiding at all Council meetings and voting in the event of a tie. The president of the Council also appoints chairs and members of the various committees. Council President also serves as vice mayor, acting for the mayor in certain instances. The Atlanta City Council President is elected for a four-year term, with the election to be held in November 2017, taking office in January 2018. The current City Council President is running for mayor.

For more information about Wan and his campaign: www.AlexWanForAtlanta.com.