More
- Classifieds
- Cars
- Deals
- Real Estate
- Rentals
- Photos
- Blogs

In the News

Two Washingtons: Georgia town reflects discord in nation’s capital

Common ground is sparse as they pick a mayor in the bitterly divided hamlet of Washington, not unlike in another place with the same name.

5 Seconds

00:00

00:00

There are dozens of places across the country named in tribute to the first president of the United States, and the contention so often associated with Washington, D.C., is now spreading to them, too. The town square is where Washington, Ga., has always transitioned from one era to the next. Elections results are announced on the courthouse steps. Textile companies once boomed there. These days, many of the square’s storefronts sit empty.

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

Taxidermist William Lloyd Johnson III, whose grandfather was mayor of Washington, is concerned about utility prices as the town elects a mayor. Johnson has voted for all three candidates in past elections. He’s voting for Ames Barnett, who is challenging two-term incumbent Willie Burns, the town’s first black mayor.

Taxidermist William Lloyd Johnson III, whose grandfather was mayor of Washington, is concerned about utility prices as the town elects a mayor. Johnson has voted for all three candidates in past elections. He’s voting for Ames Barnett, who is challenging two-term incumbent Willie Burns, the town’s first black mayor.

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

Mayoral candidate Patricia Wilder, left, talks with Mary Dorse and Edward Franklin at the Talk of the Town restaurant. The town’s population has started to dip slightly, and Washington, 20 miles from the interstate on a winding, two-lane road, has trouble luring visitors and small businesses.

Mayoral candidate Patricia Wilder, left, talks with Mary Dorse and Edward Franklin at the Talk of the Town restaurant. The town’s population has started to dip slightly, and Washington, 20 miles from the interstate on a winding, two-lane road, has trouble luring visitors and small businesses.

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

Washington Mayor Willie Burns, 57, holds a strategy session with supporters. Burns first won election in 2003, campaigning almost exclusively on the black side of town. 'We got enough votes just on our side,' he said. 'Why waste time chasing people who would never vote for me?'

Washington Mayor Willie Burns, 57, holds a strategy session with supporters. Burns first won election in 2003, campaigning almost exclusively on the black side of town. "We got enough votes just on our side," he said. "Why waste time chasing people who would never vote for me?"

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

Ames Barnett goes to the courthouse with his wife, Ashley, and son, Porter, 5. Barnett, a 35-year-old owner of a construction business, is Burns’s challenger. With the local unemployment rate stuck at 12 percent, Burns wants to increase spending on assistance programs. Barnett wants to cut property taxes and tighten the budget. “What we have here are two opposite visions,” Barnett said.

Ames Barnett goes to the courthouse with his wife, Ashley, and son, Porter, 5. Barnett, a 35-year-old owner of a construction business, is Burns’s challenger. With the local unemployment rate stuck at 12 percent, Burns wants to increase spending on assistance programs. Barnett wants to cut property taxes and tighten the budget. “What we have here are two opposite visions,” Barnett said.

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

The tourism committee in Washington, a bucolic town of 4,000, promotes a “sense of grace” and “the best Southern hospitality,” but the 2011 campaign for a mostly ceremonial mayor’s job became a contest rife with racial tension and allegations of voter fraud.

The tourism committee in Washington, a bucolic town of 4,000, promotes a “sense of grace” and “the best Southern hospitality,” but the 2011 campaign for a mostly ceremonial mayor’s job became a contest rife with racial tension and allegations of voter fraud.

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

On Election Day on the town square, James Thomas Bowick, left, and Chris Whitner talk about the economy. Residents would be gathering there later that night to find out who won the mayor’s race.

On Election Day on the town square, James Thomas Bowick, left, and Chris Whitner talk about the economy. Residents would be gathering there later that night to find out who won the mayor’s race.

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

Barnett’s wife, Ashley, in front of their home in Washington. They built their home in 2008, designing a replica of the mansion in Mississippi where Jefferson Davis had lived the last decade of his life. Ames supervised construction while Ashley worked with a designer to refine the interior. They call it the Barnett Beauvoir.

Barnett’s wife, Ashley, in front of their home in Washington. They built their home in 2008, designing a replica of the mansion in Mississippi where Jefferson Davis had lived the last decade of his life. Ames supervised construction while Ashley worked with a designer to refine the interior. They call it the Barnett Beauvoir.

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

Burns goes door-to-door to remind voters to head to the polls. Burns grew up 10 miles outside town in the 1960s, in a wood-framed house with no heat, no phone and no running water. His father, an Army Green Beret, was often away. His mother and grandfather rarely allowed him to travel into Washington, because that was where some people called his grandfather “boy,” and because black drivers in the city were not permitted to go faster than white people who walked alongside the road, Burns said.

Burns goes door-to-door to remind voters to head to the polls. Burns grew up 10 miles outside town in the 1960s, in a wood-framed house with no heat, no phone and no running water. His father, an Army Green Beret, was often away. His mother and grandfather rarely allowed him to travel into Washington, because that was where some people called his grandfather “boy,” and because black drivers in the city were not permitted to go faster than white people who walked alongside the road, Burns said.

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

Burns’s wife, Barbara, looks over voter rolls with Kelvin Stewart, center, and Larry Smith as part of their get-out-the-vote effort on Election Day.

Burns’s wife, Barbara, looks over voter rolls with Kelvin Stewart, center, and Larry Smith as part of their get-out-the-vote effort on Election Day.

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

Barbara Burns’s notes as she works to get out the vote on Election Day.

Barbara Burns’s notes as she works to get out the vote on Election Day.

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

Ceecee Anderson, with the Georgia state chapter of the NAACP, campaigns for Burns outside the courthouse on the town square. As mayor, Burns has spent millions in city funds to revive a destitute neighborhood and expand poverty programs. He was ridiculed in the local paper for spending $450,000 to build the first public pool in a black neighborhood.

Ceecee Anderson, with the Georgia state chapter of the NAACP, campaigns for Burns outside the courthouse on the town square. As mayor, Burns has spent millions in city funds to revive a destitute neighborhood and expand poverty programs. He was ridiculed in the local paper for spending $450,000 to build the first public pool in a black neighborhood.

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

Poll officers Sara Willis, left, and Melba Hill, along with <strong>Judge Thomas Charping</strong>, help a voter on Election Day.

Poll officers Sara Willis, left, and Melba Hill, along with Judge Thomas Charping, help a voter on Election Day.

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

The Election Day scene at a polling precinct in Washington. There were a total of 2,317 eligible voters — 1,338 black, 977 white and two Asian.

The Election Day scene at a polling precinct in Washington. There were a total of 2,317 eligible voters — 1,338 black, 977 white and two Asian.

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

Travis Armour is among those in the courthouse on election night waiting to hear the results of the mayoral race. More than 100 people were gathered outside on the square. Democrats, most of whom were black, stood in one part of the square. Republicans, most of them white, stood in another.

Travis Armour is among those in the courthouse on election night waiting to hear the results of the mayoral race. More than 100 people were gathered outside on the square. Democrats, most of whom were black, stood in one part of the square. Republicans, most of them white, stood in another.

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

At their home with guests on election night, Ames and Ashley Barnett get the news: 837 votes for Barnett, 747 for Burns. Washington will have a new mayor. Ashley, center, celebrates her husband’s win. A block away on the square, Ames Barnett’s supporters reveled in the victory as well. “Now we just need this to happen in the other Washington!” one person yelled. Meanwhile, Burns’s supporters vented to the television news cameras. “Bye, Ames,” one woman said. “I’m moving out of this town.”

At their home with guests on election night, Ames and Ashley Barnett get the news: 837 votes for Barnett, 747 for Burns. Washington will have a new mayor. Ashley, center, celebrates her husband’s win. A block away on the square, Ames Barnett’s supporters reveled in the victory as well. “Now we just need this to happen in the other Washington!” one person yelled. Meanwhile, Burns’s supporters vented to the television news cameras. “Bye, Ames,” one woman said. “I’m moving out of this town.”

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

Barnett, celebrates with his former teacher, Angie Strother. After the results were announced, his supporters walked from the town square to the Barnetts’ home, gathering near the entrance to hear the next mayor speak. “Now let’s remember we are one Washington,” Ames said.

Barnett, celebrates with his former teacher, Angie Strother. After the results were announced, his supporters walked from the town square to the Barnetts’ home, gathering near the entrance to hear the next mayor speak. “Now let’s remember we are one Washington,” Ames said.

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

A sign congratulates Mayor-elect Ames Barnett two days after the Washington election.

A sign congratulates Mayor-elect Ames Barnett two days after the Washington election.

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

The weekly local paper, the News-Reporter, publishes results the day after the election in Washington, Ga. A new mayor would be in charge, but there was no end in sight to the anger and divisiveness that Washington politics had become.

The weekly local paper, the News-Reporter, publishes results the day after the election in Washington, Ga. A new mayor would be in charge, but there was no end in sight to the anger and divisiveness that Washington politics had become.

Alexandra Garcia / The Washington Post

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

James Gandolfini stars as Tony Soprano in the critically acclaimed HBO series 'The Sopranos.' The show received 16 Emmy nominations Thursday, July 22, 1999, including best dramatic series and best actor for Gandolfini. It is the first cable show ever recognized in the dramatic series category. (AP Photo/HO, HBO, Anthony Nesta) Original Filename: EMMY NOMINATIONS.jpg ORG XMIT: LA109

James Gandolfini dies at 51

James Gandolfini, whose portrayal of a brutal, emotionally delicate mob boss in HBO’s “The Sopranos” helped create one of TV’s greatest drama series and turned...

TV presenter and conservationist Anneka Tanaka-Svenska wears a hat designed by Louis Mariette during the first day of Royal Ascot, in Berkshire, west of London, on June 18, 2013. The five-day meeting is one of the highlights of the horse racing calendar. Horse racing has been held at the famous Berkshire course since 1711 and tradition is a hallmark of the meeting. Top hats and tails remain compulsory in parts of the course while a daily procession of horse-drawn carriages brings the Queen to the course. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNISADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images

Photos of the day

Royal Ascot, protests in Brazil, Lego exhibition, flooding in India, Cheetah-Cub robot and more.

epa03749440 US actor Brad Pitt arrives on the red carpet for the New York Premiere of 'World War Z' in Times Square in New York, USA, 17 June 2013. EPA/JASON SZENES

The premiere of ‘World War Z’

The zombie flick starring Brad Pitt opens from Berlin to New York.

Two-year old male rat named Dyatlik wears a costume during a rodent exhibition in Minsk, Belarus, Saturday, June 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Rodent exhibition, swimming with elephants, Mexico’s feline mayoral candidate and more.

Inmates walk at a high-security male prison camp outside Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk May 14, 2013. High-security male prison camp number 17 is intended to house male inmates who are serving a sentence for the first time, and have been convicted for serious crimes. Prisoners at the facility work in wood and metal processing shops, manufacture furniture, sew clothes and do other kinds of work. They can also take part in educational, sport and cultural programs. Picture taken May 14, 2013. REUTERS/Ilya Naymushin (RUSSIA - Tags: CRIME LAW SOCIETY) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 4 OF 29 FOR PACKAGE 'INSIDE SIBERIA'S PRISONS' SEARCH 'ILYA PRISON' FOR ALL IMAGES

Life in a Siberian prison

A look inside a high-security prison camp outside Krasnoyarsk, Russia

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Johnathon Carrington, valedictorian at Dunbar High School, laughs with family and friends after his school's graduation ceremony at Howard University on Friday, June 14, 2013, in Washington, DC. Carrington, who grew up in Tyler House public-housing apartments and is graduating from one of DC's low-performing high schoolsy, where academic expectations are high. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Johnathon’s journey

Johnathon Carrington graduated Friday as the valedictorian of his neighborhood school, Dunbar High, and is headed to Georgetown University. But Carrington, 17, is nervous, and so are...

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 18: Madonna attends the Dolce & Gabbana and The Cinema Society screening of the Epix World premiere of 'Madonna: The MDNA Tour' at The Paris Theatre on June 18, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Madonna, Michael Buble, Barbara Streisand, Jackie Chan, Jerry Seinfeld, Estelle and other celebrities.

In this June 8, 2013 photo, youth compete in the Sao Carlos slum local soccer tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The pitch is just dirt and the incandescent lights aren't so bright. But when the boys' feet strike the football in the Sao Carlos slum as night falls every Saturday, big league dreams glow, inflated by the hope of escaping the shantytown with sporting skills. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Brazil’s other soccer fields

With the Confederations Cup opening this week and the World Cup one year away, all eyes are on Brazil, where soccer is arguably played with more passion and art than anywhere else....

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Loading...

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.