By Amy Wenk and Maria Saporta
January 30, 2015
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, now a year into his second term, on Friday seemed to squash notions he may run for another political office.
“As it relates to my future, I’m going home,” Reed told members of Atlanta Press Club at a Jan. 30 lunch when asked about his post-mayoral ambitions. “I love what I am doing, but I’m going to go do something else.”
Some political analysts have speculated that Reed would run for Georgia governor or U.S. Senate.
He offered some advice in choosing his successor, who will take over as Atlanta mayor in 2018.
“Stay away from people who blow holes in the budget,” he said. “People don’t realize what it took to get this city where it is… There is an energy in City Hall to blow the budget.”
Earlier this week, in a meeting with Atlanta Business Chronicle, Reed said he would leave the next mayor with $50 million to $70 million in “unencumbered” cash.
“I’m going to leave a cupboard that’s full,” Reed said during the Jan. 27 meeting. “I think my successor is going to come in with the ability… to do some pretty amazing things.”
Three years is a long time for Hizzoner and he will change his mind multiple times, as he often does in an afternoon.
He may be acknowledging he can never win a state-wide political office in Georgia.
Based on his track record recently, where else could he go?
Midtown Dave He could run for John Lewis’ seat after John retires or God retires John.