Report: Mitchell Leaves Mayoral Race, Runs for Council President
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported this afternoon that Atlanta City Councilman Ceasar Mitchell has decided not to run for mayor and is instead running for Atlanta City Council president. Mitchell filed the proper forms Tuesday.
From the AJC:
Mitchell said in a telephone interview he changed course after a recent reexamination of his background, experience and desire for public service.
“Given where we are as a city and the challenges we face, I believe at this point in time that council president is where I can serve the city best,” he said. “I feel good about that.”
The councilman said it had nothing to do with his agreement with the city’s ethics board to pay $15,000 in fines and penalties to the city for hiring his brother to help put together town hall meetings, outings for senior citizens to the Georgia Aquarium, and “Ceasar Mitchell” T-shirts. The city prohibits elected officials and employees from hiring an immediate family member. Mitchell has said his brother didn’t make a profit on the goods and services he provided, but merely expedited purchases and was eventually reimbursed.
Mitchell joins Councilwoman Clair Muller, independent candidate Al Bartell, and Atlanta attorney Shelitha Robertson in the race for council president. State Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) is rumored to be making a run for council president as well.
Mitchell’s addition to the council president race comes just days after Atlanta City Council President Lisa Borders jumped back into the race for mayor.
APN already conducted an interview with Mitchell, asking him about what he would do for Atlanta as mayor. Do you think Borders’ entry into the mayoral contest led Mitchell to join the race for her old seat? Tell us in the comment section below.