WABE’s Week In Review: Atlanta sees a shift in leadership and Abrams set for a possible Kemp rematch
Tuesday saw municipal runoff elections across Georgia, including in metro Atlanta.
The City of Atlanta had an overhaul after the elections. Longtime District 4 incumbent Cleta Wilson lost to veteran Jason Dozier, who heads a non-profit. Wilson had represented the south Downtown district on the council since 1994.
Joyce Shepard, who has been on the council for District 12 since 2004, lost to progressive political newcomer Antonio Lewis. It was a race that focused on different approaches to addressing policing in the city.
In a bid to replace the At-Large Post 3 City Council seat left open by Mayor-elect Andre Dickens, former Democratic House of Representatives member Keisha Sean Waites defeated Jacki Labat.
In District 1, Jason Winston narrowly edged out Nathan Clubb to replace Carla Smith, who did not seek another term.
In District 3, which includes Bankhead, Vine City and Atlantic Station, Byron Amos beat out Erika Estrada in one of the lowest voter turnout totals in council races of the night. Antonio Brown vacated the seat in a failed bid for mayor.
And Liliana Bakhtiari won District 5, which includes Cabbagetown, Sweet Auburn and East Atlanta, by several thousand votes over Mandy Mahoney. The seat was left vacant by Natalyn Archibong in a failed City Council president bid.
Doug Shipman beat out Archibong for Atlanta’s City Council president seat. Shipman, another political newcomer, is the former CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
The City Council president is next in line if the mayor dies or leaves office. The president also leads council meetings and makes committee assignments but does not vote on legislation except to break a tie.
Mr. Mayor…
City Councilmember Andre Dickens won the runoff to become Atlanta’s next mayor.
Dickens on Tuesday powered past current City Council President Felicia Moore, who lead in the first round of voting on Nov. 2.
And, get more on what advocates want Dickens to do to keep the city affordable.
A (possible) epic rematch in 2022 for Georgia governor
Stacey Abrams announced on Wednesday that she is running for governor again. The voting rights activist and former state house minority leader was beat for the open seat in 2018 by Gov. Brian Kemp by less than 55,000 votes.
Abrams joined “Closer Look” on Friday.
Meantime, Kemp says he is ready for the rematch. He will, however, have to fend off a challenge from Republican candidates, which could include former U.S. Senator David Perdue — who is eyeing a run.
Also in this episode…
—Emil Moffatt has more on a new effort to help Latina-owned businesses succeed.
—Emily Jones breaks down why scientists are asking for your help in spotting Monarch butterflies.
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