CLARKSTON, GA — Mayor Ted Terry has entered Georgia's U.S. Senate race, seeking the Democrat Party's nomination to challenge powerful incumbent David Perdue next fall. Terry joins one other Democrat in the race, former Columbus Mayor Tessa Tomlinson, who joined the race only after Stacey Abrams, who failed to win Georgia's governor's race, declined to enter the race.

"Division is the tool of cowards, and we should reject the politicians who play on our worst fears and turn us against one another," Terry said in a campaign announcement on his website. "Let's have the courage to bring people together, and to unite for our common purpose." Terry, 36, is the youngest mayor in Clarkston's 135-year history. The town of about 13,000 people has earned the moniker the "Ellis Island of the South" because of the population's diversity. Terry is perhaps best known nationally for his appearance on the Netflix series, "Queer Eye."

A Clarkston native, Terry has implemented a largely progressive, liberal agenda, including a $15 minimum wage for city employees; the decriminalization of simple marijuana possession; an expansion of after school programs; and a commitment for the city to use 100 percent clean energy by 2050.

Under Terry's watch, Clarkston has also come under fire from conservatives who see the community as a sanctuary city for terrorists. Back in 2015, Conservative America named Clarkston as one of the top 18 terrorist sanctuary cities. It slammed Terry for saying his city is willing to accept more refugees from the Middle East and Africa.

