Helmut Domagalski
Domagalski — who campaigns with the name of Helmut Love — is a self-described “strategic problem-solver” with a history of working as a consultant for major companies, particularly in the health care sector.
He has a biomedical engineering degree from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree from Northwestern.
Domagalski said the city of Atlanta’s history of corruption and recent feud between the former inspector general and Dickens ultimately pushed him to launch his mayoral bid.
“We’re so obsessed with what’s going on nationally — the most important decisions are those that are local,” he said.
A Republican and LGBTQ nonprofit founder, Domagalski’s campaign messaging focuses on voting “the political machine out of office” and a six-point, tech-focused plan for Atlanta’s future.
“I can bring a Republican mindset and dollars with a Democratic heart,” he said.
Domagalski believes the city needs to better leverage the private sector talent and technological advancements like AI.
“There’s so much money for our city in all of these innovations,” he said, for example, “let’s do a ride-sharing app for transportation. Any sales from the app, we get ‘X’ percent.”
Domagalski’s also wants to deepen the city’s international ties and push financial literacy and technology-focused school curriculum. And increase “anti-corruption” efforts inside City Hall.
In terms of Atlanta’s budget, Domagalski wants to appoint a budget-cutting leader to save money without cutting city services.
“That’s why this is a more interesting role for me than going to do some other political role, because this is where the rubber hits the road,” he said.