Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Not Running For Second Term Has Georgians Divided

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms shared on Twitter Thursday night that she won’t be running for re-election, which has Georgia residents divided on whether they’re happy or upset about the decision.

Bottoms was elected in 2017, but has been in headlines over the past year for her outspokenness over Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s decisions during the pandemic, which ended up with both individuals in court after a disagreement over a mask mandate for the state. The state has also seen a record number of homicides and public safety issues within the past year, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

"It is with deep emotions that I hold my head high, and choose not to seek another term as Mayor," she wrote. “Multiple credible polls have shown that if the race for Mayor were held today, I would be re-elected,” she also explained.

Some residents couldn’t be happier to see a change in Mayor and remember the last few years they've endured.

Others believe she was the best mayor the city has seen and the blame was put solely on her for problems in the state, including the rise in crime and pandemic woes.

This also comes as a surprise to many since she started fundraising for her reelection with President Joe Biden himself, already raising $500,000. It is unclear as of this writing where the money may go instead.

Twitter has predicted that her “moving on to bigger and better things” means she may be working on her governor-run announcement, but nothing official has been announced.

"I have engaged in several elections, facing multiple candidates, and never once have I cowarded from the competition," she said. "It is my sincere hope that over the next several months, a candidate for Mayor will emerge whom the people of Atlanta may entrust to lead our beloved city to its next and best chapter."