Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has once again found himself at the center of a controversy, and this time he may drag his favored candidate to replace him into the story.
Reed hasn’t been shy about his support for Keisha Lance Bottoms down the stretch of the race, and his endorsement has much to do with her meteoric rise up the polls and into the runoff. Despite his involvement in the ongoing city hall bribery scandal Reed remains popular throughout much of the city, particularly among the black community. His critics though have attempted to paint Lance Bottoms as an extension of Reed who would continue down his ‘cronyist’ path, pointing to the fact that nearly 1/3 of her donations have come from airport vendors and would-be vendors hoping to get in her good graces should she win.
On Tuesday Reed posted the below video featuring himself alongside his wife and daughter asking supporters to go out and vote for Lance Bottoms. That video, close to the polling station at Fickett Elementary School, was later reported to the Secretary of State’s office and has come under investigation for violating state law that states that “No person shall solicit votes in any manner or by any means or method on any day in which ballots are being cast within 150 feet of the outer edge of any building within which a polling place is established.”
Perfect start to the day. Enjoyed voting this morning with Sarah-Elizabeth & Maria Kristan by my side. It’s a beautiful day, #GoVote. pic.twitter.com/0uOiUb2uhp
— Kasim Reed (@KasimReed) November 7, 2017
The Secretary of State’s office couldn’t comment on the investigation as it is still ongoing, but it is unlikely that any meaningful punishment will be doled out.
For better or for worse, the Lance Bottoms campaign is tied to the hip of Reed, so expect to see his full political machine in gear over the next month before the December 5th runoff.
