Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell on Tuesday declared that Mary Norwood, “at this moment in time, is the best person to lead this city.”

“This is not a decision I made lightly, as a black man,” Mitchell said. “Let’s be real about this. It’s not a decision I made lightly as a Democrat.”

Mayor Kasim Reed, who endorsed Norwood’s opponent, Keisha Lance Bottoms, said he’s “totally unsurprised” and that Norwood and Mitchel were “one man, one woman, two losers.”

Mitchell said he was troubled by rehtoric coming out of the mayor’s office, calling it wasdivisive and demeaning. He said it “would ultimately lead to the disintigration of our community.”

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(From left) State Election Board member Rick Jeffares, executive director James Mills, vice chair Janice Johnston and member Janelle King listen during an election board meeting at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. The board voted down a proposal to eliminate Georgia’s touchscreen voting system and switch to hand-marked paper ballots. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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Democrat Eric Gisler celebrated his Tuesday election victory at the Trappeze Pub in Athens, Ga. (AP)

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