Runoff slated in Atlanta Mayor's Race

November 4, 12:33 AMAtlanta Faith & Family ExaminerPatricia Walston

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Atlanta still does not know who their new mayor will be until a runoff to be held on December 1, 2009. As of 12 Midnight November 3, 2009, neither of the top contenders had reached the required majority plus one to secure the office of Mayor of Atlanta. With 100% of the vote in, the totals according to 11Alive news was Norwood 30,915 (46%) and Reed 26,112 (39%) - a difference of a mere 4,803 votes in a city as large at Atlanta.

Turnout was reported across the city as being light especially in the morning; but picked up in the afternoon. With no candidates receiving majority plus one vote, it is back to the drawing board for Mary Norwood and Kasim Reed. Lisa Borders conceded her race with an emotional speech to her supporters – she said she would not divulge who she would be supporting in the runoff.

Mr. Reed said he was proud of the votes tonight and was very comfortable in a runoff with Mrs. Norwood. Mrs. Norwood was told by former Sam Massell that the run off would get rougher; and when asked if she would take off the gloves or continue on the high road,  she immediately responded that she would continue the high road as she always had done. She said she just loved Atlanta people and she would continue in the runoff with that same attitude. When Lisa Borders was asked what she thought about the way the race went, she said that apparently the people were speaking; and they were interested in Mrs. Norwood’s ground appeal of taking and solving one problem at a time.

It  will be at least another month before a clear winner emerges. The six way race between Lisa Borders, Mary Norwood, Kasim Reed, Jesse Spikes, Kyle Keyser, and Paul Brownlowe is now narrowed down to Mary Norwood  and Kasim Reed ; both bringing a lot of experience and supporters to the table.

Borders, Norwood, and Reed were seen as the front runners from the beginning. With so many contenders, it was likely from the beginning  that a runoff would be necessary.

If Mrs. Norwood proves to be successful, she will be the first white mayor since Sam Massell in 1974. He was followed by Maynard Jackson, Andrew Young, Bill Campbell, and Shirley Franklin – all African Americans. She has been waiting with her supporters at the Varsity in Atlanta.

Kasim Reed and his supporters have been awaiting the news of the election at the Hyatt Regency Downtown. He had some pretty impressive endorsements in former Mayor Andrew Young, the daughter of another former mayor, Maynard Jackson, Brooke Jackson-Edmond, Gwen Keys-Flemming, C.T. Martin and celebrities like Usher, Ludacans and Jazze Pha.

As stated, a clear winner would have had to receive 50% plus one vote. The runoff will be December 1, 2009. There was an expected low turnout of about 35% according to Barry Garner – based on an average of the past three city elections. It will be interesting to see  who will receive Ms. Border's supporters.

We will be seeing a whole lot more of these two in the next few weeks, as they empty their coffers and bring out the big guns in their last chance at City Hall in Atlanta.