ATLANTA --- Next week's election could end a generation of black mayors in the state's capital city and usher in improved relations between the city and the state.
Atlanta is home to two-thirds of Georgia's population and brings in 61 percent of state tax revenue.
Six candidates are vying to replace Mayor Shirley Franklin. Polls show Atlanta Councilwoman Mary Norwood out front. If she fails to snag a majority, she'll enter a runoff with either Council President Lisa Borders or state Sen. Kasim Reed.
Ms. Norwood is white. Ms. Borders and Mr. Reed are black. Ms. Norwood not only leads in the polls but also in fundraising. Many of the small contributions are coming from individuals.
Ms. Borders is connected to real estate developers in the area, and Mr. Reed draws on ties he made to the black leadership when he was Ms. Franklin's campaign manager. But Ms. Norwood proclaims her independence from both groups in her ads.
One connection Ms. Norwood doesn't shirk -- that of the ritzy Buckhead neighborhood -- might be important after the election, according to commentator Tom Houck. During a discussion held by Atlanta law firm McKenna, Long & Aldridge, he said "Buckhead Betty" has voted in more Republican primaries than Democratic ones. If she wins, her links to the posh neighborhood that includes the governor's mansion could shape how state officials react to her and the city.
Running against Atlanta has been a successful tactic for politicians across the state for generations, not just during the past 35 years of black mayors. As Republicans took over state government, they kept it up, threatening to take over MARTA and the airport.
Years ago, House Speaker Tom Murphy quietly saw that Atlanta got state support, such as the funds to construct the World Congress Center. That's how the city could benefit again should Ms. Norwood's election bring a truce with the GOP.
Having allies near City Hall under the gold dome can make a difference.
Reach Walter Jones at (404) 589-8424 or walter.jones@morris.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The polls are never totally accurate and the voter turnout is the ultimate key to victory. The article uses the polls to speculate further, that a runoff maybe necessary. How about having the elections first, because some voters may not turn out based on these kinda stories. Hey, is that the true purpose of the article - to reduce turnout?
Whats the matter justus..are you askurred ACORN is too busy with it it's uhhhhh... other legal concerns they will not be able to raise the dead for their signatures?
"Next week's election could end a generation of black mayors in the state's capital city and usher in improved relations between the city and the state."
It is unfair to the state GOP to imply that it's poor relationship with Atlanta is attributable to the race of the city's mayors. State Sen. Kasim Reed has ushered significant legislation through a mostly Republican legislature. And Lisa Borders chief contributors are GOP business owners. All of the top three candidates have support across racial and party lines.
The only people focused on race in this election appear to be a handful of professors and the national media.