Russell Edwards is a Georgia native, born and raised in Peachtree City. Growing up, he loved the freedom and happiness allowed by the City’s 100 mile network of multi-use paths. Russell attended the University of North Carolina-Asheville where he received a degree in Spanish and helped found the Asheville Mural Project.
During those years, Russell volunteered twice to serve Americorps through the Student Conservation Association. He spent a summer in Idaho’s Frank Church Wilderness clearing trails and spent autumn in the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve.
During those years, Russell volunteered twice to serve Americorps through the Student Conservation Association. He spent a summer in Idaho’s Frank Church Wilderness clearing trails and spent autumn in the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Clearing deadfall in the Frank Church Wilderness.
After college, Russell moved to Washington, D.C., where he taught 8th Grade Spanish in D.C. Public Schools. He hosted a Global Warming Youth Summit and he coached the J.V. Basketball team to an undefeated District championship. He also volunteered for the Sierra Club, often distributing energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs at the Eastern Market.
With the 2006-07 D.C. Champs from Stuart-Hobson Junior High.
Russell returned to Georgia in 2007 to attend the University of Georgia School of Law. During school, he helped lead the Equal Justice Foundation and organize the Working in the Public Interest Conference. Upon graduation, Russell was the Democratic Nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives for GA's 10th District.
Through the 2010s, Russell organized numerous community efforts in Athens ranging from stream clean-ups to 4th of July celebrations. Russell was elected to the Athens-Clarke County Commission in 2018 and served as Mayor Pro-Tempore from 2019-2021.
Among other accomplishments in office, Russell was instrumental in pushing the expansion of the Oconee River Greenway, the creation of pedestrian-only College Square, and Athens' rail-trail: the Firefly Trail. He also was proud to support Athens’ 100% Renewable energy pledge, leading to a rapid expansion of solar installations on County buildings and conversion of gas-powered tools to electric.
Among other accomplishments in office, Russell was instrumental in pushing the expansion of the Oconee River Greenway, the creation of pedestrian-only College Square, and Athens' rail-trail: the Firefly Trail. He also was proud to support Athens’ 100% Renewable energy pledge, leading to a rapid expansion of solar installations on County buildings and conversion of gas-powered tools to electric.
