The final few weeks of a campaign are a crazy time. Campaigns are trying to fundraise constantly, make appearances at events, prepare for debates and develop get out the vote strategies – all while people who you have never seen before are streaming in and out of the campaign office while asking for yard signs (and saying there are not enough yard signs). Another piece of the puzzle is endorsements.
In a senate race or congressional race, these actually may not matter that much because polarization is so strong, Democrats or Republicans are unlikely to be swayed by an endorsement for a candidate from another party.
But in a non-partisan race where basically all the candidates are Democrats like the mayoral race in Atlanta, endorsements can make a difference. Who do the teachers like? What about former mayors? Or the police?
As the mayor’s race comes down to the final week, the endorsements are coming quickly. Holding back your endorsement can mean a little extra publicity for your organization in the last couple weeks of a big race, and if you matter at all the candidates will want to tout your support as much as feasible.
For Kasim Reed and Felicia Moore, the top two candidates in the race, there are a lot of interesting examples. Former Mayor Shirley Franklin is firmly in the anti-Reed camp. Still remembered fondly by many Atlantans, the former mayor has held nothing back in her criticism of Reed, even comparing his style of leadership to that of former Haitian dictator Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier.
“Reed acted like a bully,” Franklin wrote in an Instagram post following a debate. “He threatened staff and anyone who differed with him. Just as he did in the WSB-TV debate tonight. Reed promoted division and tension within city government and across the city and still does with his Papa Doc style of leadership.”
Her post also referenced Reed’s support of another former mayor and ambassador, Andrew Young. Young has known Reed since he was a college student at Howard University and has remained a staunch supporter, chalking up most of his unpopularity to hard decisions made as mayor.
With no clear “Buckhead candidate” this go round, like former candidate Mary Norwood was somewhat, support of residents in the northern part of the city will make a difference in a new way this election. This race may feature a smattering of votes for several candidates from all parts of the city, whereas usually one candidate seems to garner a lot of support from the northern part and another from the southern part.
Another controversial endorsement this past week came from the Atlanta chapter of the NAACP, which took Shirley Franklin’s scorched earth approach to the anti-Reed bandwagon. The president of the chapter could not have been more forceful in his denunciation. Citing Reed’s poor record on affordable housing, the lack of property taxes paid by Mercedes-Benz Stadium, corruption and more, President Richard Rose left no doubt he is not in favor of a Reed comeback. The slam from Rose brought heat from the national NAACP, which noted that the organization does not involved itself in the affairs of specific candidates and Rose acknowledged he should not have issued the statement on official letterhead.
But it’s out there now. Just like any other endorsement – including one for Felicia Moore from a man who promptly went to claim all of Atlanta’s black mayors have been corrupt – what happens after the endorsement can cause some consternation.
But will any of it make a difference? We may know next Tuesday.
