Kasim Reed unleashes on Vincent Fort

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed pulled no punches Thursday when asked about longtime rival and critic, State Sen. Vincent Fort.

“Vincent Fort is one of the most disappointing human beings I’ve ever seen,” Reed told reporters and business folks at an Atlanta Press Club luncheon on Thursday, in response to a journalist’s question about Fort’s legislative priorities.

The mayor also accused Fort of introducing legislation aimed at Atlanta City Hall as a "publicity stunt" ahead of a bid for the mayor's office in 2017 — though Fort has not officially declared his intent. The state senator, a Democrat who represents Atlanta, is behind various bills that would prohibit City Hall from outsourcing parking enforcement, place the Atlanta Streetcar under MARTA's control and block a pedestrian bridge the city is building at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Fort shot back with a statement on Thursday, saying he’s “disappointed that our mayor would stoop to personal attacks rather than addressing the concerns of our joint constituents.”

ExploreTo hear more about their squabble, visit myAJC.com.

About the Author

Katie Leslie

Stacey Abrams considers third run for governor as some Georgia Democrats move on

Once the unquestioned leader of Georgia Democrats, Stacey Abrams now faces an uncertain political future as she considers a third run for governor.

2h ago

With midterms looming, Georgia fails to make election security upgrades

Election security proposals stalled in the Georgia General Assembly, leaving the same voting technology in place for the 2026 election. Election advocates say they're worried.

Universities speak out against government ‘overreach,’ but South is more muted

Hundreds of universities across the United States are speaking out for academic freedom, but few schools in the South have joined the opposition to the Trump adminsitration.

The Latest

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Stacey Abrams considers third run for governor as some Georgia Democrats move on

2h ago

With midterms looming, Georgia fails to make election security upgrades

LISTEN

Politically Georgia hosts review 100-year history of Atlanta’s airport

Featured

Credit: John Spink/AJC

Metro Atlanta’s declining air quality among worst in Southeast, report says

The American Lung Association’s report ranks the Atlanta metro area as the third-worst in the Southeast for ozone pollution.

Atlanta business owner gets 12 years in prison in $156M FEMA fraud case

An Atlanta business owner was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years in prison on fraud, theft and money laundering charges tied to a $156 million FEMA contract.

Falcons’ Fontenot calls ESPN report on price for Cousins ‘inaccurate’

‘We wouldn’t … share specific conversations with what we’re doing,’ general manager says.