As Norwood reaches for a majority, opponents go negative

By Jonathan Shapiro

Atlanta, GA – With less than 24 hours until the mayoral election, negative campaigning has intensified.

The latest polls put Mary Norwood far ahead of her challengers Kasim Reed and Lisa Borders.

In fact, polls put Norwood close to the 50 percent mark she needs to avoid a runoff election.

Recently her opponents have stepped up attacks to try and stop her from reaching that goal.

One common theme is that Norwood is a closet republican.

In response, Norwood has produced an ad defending herself against the charge.

NORWOOD AD.

There have also been flyers paid for by the State Democratic Party urging voters to elect “real” democrats such as Reed or Borders.

Roman Levit, Norwood's campaign manager, has been highly critical of these tactics.

LEVIT: For the state democratic party to involve itself in a nonpartisan race and practice the politics of exclusion is really shameful and destructive.

When asked for comment, state democratic officials could not be reached.

The chairman of the democratic party, Jane Kidd, reportedly told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that she didn't think Norwood was being upfront about her loyalties.

For WABE, I'm Jonathan Shapiro.