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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Sen. Jason Esteves (D-Atlanta) shown in the Senate chambers on day 18 of the Georgia Legislative session on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

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