In the News

MDJ Voter Guide: Marietta Mayor

October 16, 2025 – The Marietta Daily Journal released its official Voter Guide for the mayor’s race. Sam Foster outlined his plan to make Marietta safer, more affordable, and easier to get around — focusing on rebuilding trust, fixing sidewalks, and putting families first.

Upstart Mayoral Challenger Tests Marietta’s Old Guard

October 15, 2025 Atlanta Civic Circle spotlights Sam Foster’s challenge to Marietta’s old guard. At 24, Foster is running on housing affordability, transit, and smarter growth. “When we talk about development, we’re really talking about convenience,” he said. “Having your pharmacy, your work, your restaurants five or ten minutes away — that’s what makes life easier.”

Podcast: Candidate Profile - Sam Foster, Marietta Mayor

October 15, 2025 – On The Georgia Politics Podcast, Sam Foster talks about what inspired him to run for mayor and how Marietta can grow without leaving people behind. From fixing infrastructure to supporting small businesses, Sam shares his vision for a city that listens, builds trust, and works for everyone.

24-Year-Old Challenging Longtime Incumbent in Marietta Mayor’s Race

October 13, 2025 – Atlanta News First highlights the 54-year age gap in Marietta’s mayoral race between longtime Mayor Steve “Thunder” Tumlin and 24-year-old challenger Sam Foster. Foster, founder of A Better Cobb, spoke about housing, transit, and safer streets: “The age is not the question. It’s about character, listening, and bringing the community together.”

Fundraising Reports Filed in Race for Marietta Mayor

October 8, 2025 – The Marietta Daily Journal reports that Sam Foster, 24, has outraised longtime Mayor Steve “Thunder” Tumlin more than four-to-one in the latest campaign finance filings. Foster has built a strong grassroots movement, raising over $50,000 from more than 500 small donors. “This campaign is about building a city that works for everyone,” Foster said.

Invested - 11: Isaac Hayes III & Sam Foster Discuss the Price of Power: Who Really Owns Our Future?

October 7, 2025 – On Invested with Isaac Hayes III and Noah Washington, Sam Foster talked about the power of social media, who owns our future, and how local politics can help Black communities build real ownership and stability. As Sam said, “Your investment is what you want to see in the world.”

AROUND TOWN: Marietta Mayoral Candidate Gains Support From the Left

October 7, 2025 – The Marietta Daily Journal reports on new endorsements for Sam Foster from groups supporting families, childcare, and responsible growth, including Run for Something, MomsRising, Lead Locally, Georgia Conservation Voters, JanePAC, and Real Action Inc.

Marietta Voters Meet, Chat With Local Candidates

October 6, 2025 – The Marietta Daily Journal covered a packed meet-and-greet for local candidates. Sam Foster spoke with voters about housing affordability and how rising costs are pushing families out of Marietta. “We’re dealing with the key issues that are decreasing the quality of life for residents,” Sam said. “It’s time for a change and a new perspective.”

AROUND TOWN: Youth vs. Experience: Foster Challenges Mayor Tumlin in Heated Marietta Race

October 3, 2025 – The Marietta Daily Journal reports on how Sam Foster is using bold social media to challenge longtime Mayor Steve “Thunder” Tumlin. At 24, Foster is blending political messaging with TikTok and Instagram trends to spotlight housing, affordability, and safe streets while criticizing Tumlin’s vetoes and redevelopment record. 

SAM FOSTER FOR MARIETTA | Grits and Eggs Podcast EP. 89

October 1, 2025 – Host Deante’ Kyle sits down with Sam Foster to talk about what it really means to be a working-class person running for Mayor of Marietta, GA. From Sam’s journey into politics to bold ideas like a four-day work week, better public transit, and economic policy that puts people before developers, this conversation goes deep into what leadership should look like.

KSU Grad Sam Foster Runs for Marietta Mayor, Promising Housing & Transit Solutions

September 30, 2025 – The KSU Sentinel sat down with Kennesaw State University graduate Sam Foster, now running for Mayor of Marietta, to discuss his campaign priorities on affordable housing, reducing traffic, and improving public transit. The interview was conducted by Zaire Breedlove.

Sam Foster for Mayor | ATL Meli Melo Show

September 29, 2025 – Hosts Bouboule, Rupipa, Sabine Apollon, and Penkita sit down with Sam Foster for a bilingual French-English conversation on his journey as a first-generation immigrant, his grandmother’s story as a florist, and how it shapes his fight for small businesses. The discussion also touches on traffic, Mayor Tumlin’s veto of Juneteenth, and Sam’s campaign for affordable housing, better transit, and family-centered leadership.

In Cobb We Trust: Sam Foster on Building “A New Marietta”

September 3, 2025 – Host Dr. Chheda sits down with Sam Foster, candidate for Mayor of Marietta, to talk about his vision for “A New Marietta.” From lowering residential taxes to revitalizing downtown, Foster shares why he believes it’s time for fresh leadership in the city. Tune in as we dive into his platform, learn what drives him, and hear why he’s ready to lead.

Sam Foster Has a Vision for Marietta

September 1, 2025 – Sam Foster is running for Mayor to build a city that works for everyone. Residents are tired of seeing new developments go up while the sidewalk in front of their homes fall apart. Marietta deserves a  leader who cares.

Young Candidate Challenges Longtime Marietta Mayor in Generational Showdown

August 21, 2025 – A generational shift may be coming to Cobb County this November. Sam Foster, a 24‑year‑old systems engineer, has launched his campaign to unseat the 78‑year‑old Steve Tumlin.

Key Municipal Elections to Watch in Roswell, Sandy Springs and Other Cities

August 25, 2025 – Steve Tumlin is facing challenger Sam Foster in his quest for a fifth term. Major issues include housing, transportation and quality of life

Young candidate challenges longtime Marietta mayor in generational showdown

August 21, 2025 – Sam Foster is one of the youngest mayoral candidates in Marietta’s history and is part of a national wave of younger leaders entering local politics.

Young Mayor Hopeful: In Atlanta’s Suburbs, It’s a New Day for Urbanism

August 18, 2025 – Growing suburbs should “turn the tide on decades of suburbanization, car-dependency, and NIMBYism,” Sam Foster posits in an Op-Ed.

AROUND TOWN: Cobb Cities See Flurry of Candidates on Day One

August 19, 2025 – For the mayor, incumbent Steve Tumlin — who has served in the position since 2010 — has qualified, seeking reelection for a fifth term despite passing term limits. Challenger Sam Foster, a systems engineer and community leader, also qualified Monday.

Black College Grad Announces Run For Mayor Of Metro Atlanta City

August 6, 2025 – On his campaign website, Sam Foster aims to tackle housing affordability. His plans, if elected mayor, also include fixing the streets for pedestrians and bike riders, as well as protecting green spaces while introducing fair taxes.

Sam Foster - Mayoral Candidate (Marietta, GA) - How Did You Get Here? - Podcast on iVoox

August 11, 2025 – Listen to this episode of How Did You Get Here, Sam? Sam Foster, current mayoral candidate for Marietta, GA, joins Jamie to discuss the path from cycling to political candidacy.

Rundown of Cobb Municipal Election Candidates

August 23, 2025 – In Marietta, incumbent mayor Steve Tumlin, a CPA and an attorney faces opposition Sam Foster, a systems engineer. He’s said to be one of the youngest candidates for mayor in Marietta’s history, at the age of 24.

Group Calls for Changes to Address Housing Concerns

July 25, 2025 – This week’s county commission meeting drew an impassioned crowd of residents calling for urgent action on what they described as a worsening housing crisis. Sam Foster, a candidate for Marietta mayor and A Better Cobb member, praised the grassroots momentum behind Tuesday’s showing.

AROUND TOWN: Another Candidate Hops Into Race for Marietta Mayor

June 20, 2025 – Sam Foster, a systems engineer, has filed paperwork with the state to seek the Gem City’s top job. Foster, 23, told Around Town he’s running to bring fresh ideas to City Hall. “There are a lot of issues that we’re facing, including homelessness, we’re facing a housing crisis,” Foster said.

Pedestrian Deaths, Injuries Cause Concern in Cobb

February 7, 2025 – “With all of the things we’ve been seeing, all the different studies we’ve done, I think it’s clear at this point that these aren’t accidents,” said Sam Foster, a software engineer who lives in west Marietta. “These are a result of road design, and until we start to address it from that perspective, these things will never change.”

Does Marietta Have a Bike Problem?

December 6, 2024 – Sam Foster discuses his experience with local advocacy for safer streets in Marietta.

What Is the Path Forward for Cobb Transit?

November 13, 2024 – “There’s people who’ve lived there for a while, and they don’t want to see their neighborhoods change. Anytime we propose anything, they’ll fight back against it, and they’ll bring their neighbors to fight back against it, creating this echo chamber of misinformation,” said A Better Cobb member Sam Foster.