By Eric Stirgus and Ernie Suggs

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Former Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes, who's hoping to win his old job back next year, is expected to endorse Kasim Reed for Atlanta mayor on Thursday.

The two Democrats are scheduled to appear at a 2 p.m. news conference, Reed campaign spokesman Reese McCranie told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution late Wednesday.

McCranie said it was "premature" to discuss whether Reed, who served in the Georgia Senate while Barnes was governor, will return the favor Thursday.

"Kasim is focused on becoming the next mayor of Atlanta and appreciates Gov. Barnes' support wholeheartedly," McCranie said.

Barnes is the latest high-profile endorsement that Reed has nailed down in his Dec. 1 runoff with Councilwoman Mary Norwood.

Atlanta City Council President Lisa Borders endorsed Reed on Wednesday. Borders, who finished third in last week's general election for mayor, was courted by Norwood and Reed for her endorsement.

Borders said she went with Reed because she felt more comfortable with his agenda to improve the city's finances, hire more police officers and reopen 22 recreation centers.

"This team is unbeatable," Borders said at a rally in Midtown.

During the campaign, Borders said Reed's plan to hire 750 police officers in his first term was not feasible while Reed criticized Borders' proposal for the city to take control of collecting sales tax revenue from state government. On Wednesday, Reed seemed more open to Borders' idea and said he will seek her help in getting more revenue to fund his public safety plan.

"[Borders] has experience that is invaluable," Reed said.

Later, at an event at the National Museum of Patriotism, Norwood brushed off Borders' endorsement.

"The citizens will make their decision based on who will best serve them,"  Norwood said, flanked by about a half-dozen supporters and two veterans.

Much of Norwood's support has come from neighborhood leaders and community activists. Norwood led all candidates with about 46 percent of the vote in last week's election, but it was less than the 50 percent necessary to win the election outright.

Asked about her lack of support from elected officials, Norwood said, "every vote is equal," before her staff abruptly halted the news conference.

Norwood spokesperson Zee Bradford said the candidate had to rush to another event, while adding that she was at the museum to honor veterans, not comment on another campaign.