Atlanta Mayor Won’t Seek Reelection

In an emotional news conference recently, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms spoke about her decision not to seek reelection, citing challenges of her time in office and a desire to make room for a potential successor to prepare a campaign. Lance Bottoms, 51, who was elected in 2017, is the second African American woman to lead the city.

“The past three years have not been what I would have scripted for our city,” said Lance Bottoms, citing a major cyberattack in her first few months in office and a federal investigation into corruption under her predecessor, the former Mayor Kasim Reed. “That seemed to literally suck the air out of the Atlanta City Government. Then, last summer, there was a pandemic, social justice movements, and a madman in the White House. It is abundantly clear to me today that it is time to pass the baton on to someone else.”

Mayor Lance Bottoms emphasized that her decision was not because of doubts that she could win a second term in office, noting that polling numbers show that if the election were held today, she would win the race without a runoff.

“I don’t know what’s next for me personally and for my family. But what I do know is that this is a decision made from a position of strength, not weakness,” said the mayor.

The mayor has been seen as a rising national star in the Democratic Party, including being considered as a possible running mate for President Joe Biden. She also reportedly turned down an offer of a cabinet seat. Her growing popularity and stature made her decision not to seek reelection even more surprising.