By John Ruch
Andre Dickens and Felicia Moore are headed to a Nov. 30 runoff election for mayor of Atlanta as close third-place finisher Kasim Reed conceded.
The results do not become official until a Nov. 8 certification, but Reed, a former two-term Atlanta mayor, acknowledged Nov. 4 that his comeback bid is over.
In the Nov. 2 general election, Moore led with roughly 41 percent of the vote, followed by Dickens at roughly 23 percent. They beat a field of 14 candidates on the ballot, plus two write-in contenders.
Moore, who is currently the City Council president, knew on Election Night that she was heading to the runoff. “Thank you to everyone who has put in time and energy to our campaign for change over these last 10 months,” she said on social media at the time. “Thank you as well to the candidates who didn’t fare as well today, especially Sharon Gay and Antonio Brown. Thank you for running positive campaigns about the future of Atlanta. And most importantly, thank you Atlanta for choosing me as your top choice for mayor.”
Dickens, who currently holds the City Council Post 3 at-large seat, claimed victory on Election Night as well, saying at a press conference that, “hope has defeated fear.” He repeated the theme Nov. 4, adding in a press release, “Atlanta needs a mayor who cares deeply about its people, who has a vision, and who knows how to deliver. I have the head, the heart and the hands to lead this city.”
Reed conceded in a Nov. 4 statement that referred to the city’s crime problems and alluded to the movement for Buckhead to become its own city, which all candidates have opposed.
“I want to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to every member of my campaign, every volunteer and every supporter who believed in my leadership and vision for this city,” said Reed. “Although my campaign was unsuccessful, I still believe our city’s future is brightest as one that is united.”
