"Wow!!!" "Wow!!!" "Wow!!!" "Wow!!!" "Wow!!!"
Those were my exact words when I heard Brian Williams announce that Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms would not seek re-election this year.
Although Bottoms is facing a challenge from City Council President Felicia Moore her decision is shocking considering that she had declined an offer of a cabinet post in the Biden Administration back in December. Bottoms has reportedly accepted a position with Walgreens.
In recent months, Bottoms has taken heat for being unable to address the rise in violent crime in the city. However, Bottoms' polling appeared to be in good shape. But how she might be polling in May isn't necessarily how she would poll in November. Perhaps she wasn't so confident of re-election.
Nearly a year ago, Bottoms appeared to rise to the top when she managed to condemn both the murder of George Floyd while condemning political violence which arose from it in downtown Atlanta. This would quickly lead to speculation that Biden could select Bottoms as his running mate. Of course, Biden would choose Kamala Harris and this turned out just fine.
Bottoms' departure from the mayoral race has fueled speculation that her predecessor Kasim Reed might embark on a political comeback.
A year in politics, as it turns out, is an eternity.
UPDATE: During her press conference this morning, Bottoms denied reports that she had accepted a position at Walgreens stating, "I don't know what's next."
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