Political Insider

By Rarl Kove

July 15, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

A three way? Is CEO Vernon Jones running for mayor too?

By Mary Norwood

July 15, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

Don’t forget me.

By Katie

July 15, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Did Jesse mention that he got it all from his own law firm? I wish my employer loved me like that!

By Go Atlanta

July 15, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

An Ivy League-educated Rhodes Scholar whose a senior partner at a leading business law firm, a young impressive State Senator whose a top litigator and master campaign, an experienced city council president whose also an entrepreneur. Probablly the most impressive field across the board ever.

By Go Atlanta

July 15, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this

Each of them is highly accomplished. And, each of them is from Georgia. So, they are unlikely to “go Philly” on anyone. :)

By cnote

July 15, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

Ditto Go Atlanta.

At first glance, I’d take any of the three as mayor.

By Go Atlanta

July 15, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

And by “whose” I meant “who’s.”

By Clark Howard

July 15, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

How about me?? I’m honest does that disqualify me?

By T

July 15, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

Yes, Clark.

By Go Atlanta

July 15, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

Clark would be a fantastic addition and would be exceptionally competitive. But to my knowledge he has not announced.

By Clark Howard

July 15, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

Go Atlanta ……..thanks

By Roc

July 15, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this

Jesse actually raised more than $150,000 from a very broad base of support. In the words of one of my former professors from Vidalia, GA, its about to get “right interestin’” in this race for mayor.

For Jesse to be on the hills of two politicians with well-oiled political machines, he must have some major support and the faith of a large segment of the city as the newcomer to the race.

As more people get to know him, his accomplishments in life and his talents, he’ll gain more and more support. Given his background as a corporate attorney and exposure to leading business minds of our generation, he’s just what the City of Atlanta needs in this time of financial crisis.

Go Spikes in ‘09!

By Probablly Spikes

July 15, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

As a voter, assuming Clark Howard doesn’t enter, I’m inclined to support Spikes. He seems very very smart, and with his background as a corporate attorney who is not of the current political crop, it’s likely he’s best equipped to fix some of the city’s recent financial bumps.

However, I don’t think the fact he’s raised money, by itself, means he has a lot of support in this city yet. As a graduate of Dartmouth (magna cum laude!), Harvard Law and Oxford, he likely has fundraising contacts across the country. Until the state posts the candidates’ reports, I’m skeptical he raised most of that money from Atlantans. He’s still the least known of the top 4 (including Norwood). He is decidedly the underdog.

By nathan siedel

July 16, 2008 7:07 AM | Link to this

** Atlanta, GA —— Jesse Spikes, who announced his candidacy for Mayor in May, filed his campaign’s first financial report today. The campaign reported $143,675.00 in contributions.

Jesse Spikes said, “I am very pleased at the tremendous support my campaign has received so early and from so many, particularly from those who know me well — lawyers, church members, business leaders, people in my SW Atlanta neighborhood and others with whom I have worked closely for over thirty years. They know firsthand my skills, abilities and commitment; and they are giving their support to my campaign for Mayor. With their generous support, I will now begin to introduce myself and my qualifications to all of Atlanta — to people throughout the city whom I have not had an opportunity to meet yet.” “Indeed, beginning August 1st, I will ‘bike and walk my way across Atlanta.’ I want to know what people on every street, in every neighborhood, at every corner, and on every block want for the future of our city. I want every resident of Atlanta to have a say in the future of our city,” Spikes added.

Spikes is making his first foray into elective politics saying, “Atlanta needs fresh leadership, new ideas and different approaches — a change, a new face. It does not need its political leaders just switching or trading places.”

Spikes is a graduate of Dartmouth College, Oxford University (England), as a Rhodes Scholar, and Harvard Law School. He spent four years as Legal Advisor to the Arab African International Bank in Egypt and Bahrain before re-joining the law firm of Long, Aldridge & Norman — now McKenna Long & Aldridge — where he is Senior Partner. His law practice is focused on corporate transactions, governance and compliance, internal investigations and audits as well as special committee representations.

Jesse Spikes has served as General Counsel to Atlanta Life Insurance Company and on the boards for Clark Atlanta University, the Atlanta Organizing Committee for the 1996 Olympic Games, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Agnes Scott College, Emory University’s Board of Visitors, and the Alliance Theater. He is currently a member of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Board of Trustees (Egleston, Hughes Spalding and Scottish Rite hospitals), the Atlanta Business League, the Community Court/Restorative Justice Center Foundation Board, the Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America’s Governance and Membership Quality Committees and First Congregational Church. **

By gEE mAC

July 26, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Yes it does. Run, Clark, run!!