Kasim Reed confirmed as Atlanta mayor

Kasim Reed confirmed as Atlanta mayor
December 10, 2009
By Richard Fausset
Los Angeles Times

A recount finds that the former Georgia state senator beat City Councilwoman Mary Norwood by 714 votes. He is to take office Jan. 4.
Kasim Reed

Kasim Reed's victory extends a streak of African American mayors in Atlanta that goes back to 1973. (Curtis Compton / Associated Press / December 8, 2009)

Reporting from Atlanta - Kasim Reed, an attorney and former Georgia state senator, will be sworn in as Atlanta's next mayor after a recount Wednesday confirmed he had won a runoff election.

City Councilwoman Mary Norwood sought the recount after coming up 715 votes short in the Dec. 1 balloting, or fewer than 1% of the total cast. Reed's margin of victory ended up at 714 votes, Fulton County officials said.

"Campaign season is over, and I want everyone to know I have the utmost respect for Mrs. Norwood and take no personal pleasure in her concession today," Reed said in a statement. "I give my solemn assurances to her supporters that we will make government work for the people once again."

The election pitted Reed, an African American, against Norwood, who is white, and came at a time when Atlanta has grown whiter and more gentrified. His victory extended a streak of African American mayors here that goes back to 1973, when Maynard Jackson became the first black mayor of a major Southern city.

Reed, 40, is to take office Jan. 4.