Ep. 40: How Atlanta’s mayoral race just blew wide open

On Thursday night, local news sources reported that Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced she would not be seeking re-election for a second term as Atlanta’s 60th mayor. Those reports were confirmed with Bottoms’ letter to the city and her press conference on Fri., May 7. Since the news broke, local pundits, politicos, and organizers have been spinning their wheels projecting what the future might hold in Atlanta’s municipal races.

One thing we know for sure: we’re going to have an insanely busy summer as things begin to take form, twist, turn, and then form again between now and November 2. There’s a lot on the line — including the fate of the city jail and the future of Atlanta policing — and there’s going to be a lot of players. Buckle up, Atlanta. Here’s our first rundown with Aja Arnold, Mainline contributor and researcher Sylvia Johnson, and fellow independent ATL journalist King Williams.

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