With one week to go in the Atlanta mayoral race runoff, there’s still plenty of time for developments. Early voting starts today and turnout could end up being a big factor. The last mayoral runoff, in 2009 between Kasim Reed and current candidate Mary Norwood, was decided by 850 votes, out of a total of more than 77,000.
The election this year garnered more than 96,000 votes, with Bottoms getting just over 25,000 and Norwood just over 20,000. It is likely to a close race again this year and candidates will be focused this week on getting out their supporters. Part of this effort may involve support from their recent endorsements, including those of their former rivals in the mayor’s race. City Council President Ceasar Mitchell, who finished sixth in the election, endorsed Norwood last week.
Many Bottoms supporters are attempting to paint Norwood as a Republican, the Democratic Party of Georgia is even running ads on this point, and Mitchell faced the issue head-on in his endorsement. “Why are we talking about Democrat versus Republican rhetoric in a race that really should be about whether or not neighborhoods will be safe,” Mitchell said. “That’s what this conversation should be about.”
Another former candidate, Kwanza Hall, endorsed Bottoms a couple weeks ago. The fourth place finisher in the race, Peter Aman, has yet to make any endorsements and the fifth-place finisher, former state senator Vincent Fort, praised Norwood for her work during the Olympics and noted that working with her is a viable option. He stopped short of endorsing her however and asked his supporters to “follow their consciences in how they vote.”
In addition to the Democratic Party of Georgia, several of the party’s biggest names are lining up behind Bottoms. Governor candidate Stacey Evans has endorsed her, noting their similarities being raised by single mothers and growing up to become public servants. Andrew Young also endorsed Bottoms last week, breaking with Mitchell, who he had supported originally. Former governor candidate Jason Carter also endorsed Bottoms, and in the process making a not-so-veiled reference to Norwood for being too chummy with the unpopular-in-Atlanta President Trump. “The City of Atlanta is not going to embrace someone who stands with Donald Trump,” said Carter.
Tomorrow night, at the Carter Center, Cathy Woolard is hosting a forum. Woolard, considered the leading progressive candidate in the race, will be focusing on affordable housing, better transit, improved livability and ethics. Should she announce an endorsement following the forum, it will be a big get for either candidate. Woolard finished third on November 7, with 17% of the vote, compared to Norwood’s 21%. Her influence in East Atlanta was perhaps underestimated by both media and other candidates and it could make a big difference in the runoff.
The event at the Carter Center is sold out but for more information, see here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fightingforatl-a-conversation-about-issues-values-and-vision-tickets-39880855713
