Borders, Reed tout mayoral endorsements

By ERIC STIRGUS

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta mayoral candidates Lisa Borders and Kasim Reed each touted new endorsements Tuesday.

Reed, a former state senator, held a press conference on the steps of City Hall with about 20 members of the Atlanta Progressive Firefighters, a group of African-American firefighters.

“We felt his whole commitment to public safety was in line with what our values and goals are,” said Atlanta Fire Rescue Capt. Cameron Dixon, president of the 100-member group.

A union representing about 450 Atlanta firefighters last month threw its support behind candidate Mary Norwood, an at-large city councilwoman.

Meanwhile Tuesday, an advocacy group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Georgians endorsed Borders, the City Council president. Georgia Equality said it supports Borders because of her track record on issues important to them.

It praised the candidate for her comments last week that she would investigate the controversial police raid at a gay bar in Midtown although Borders has received the police union’s endorsement.

“Borders’ actions showed an unflinching dedication to professionalism and a willingness to question even those who have supported her,” the organization said in a statement.

Georgia Equality has about 17,000 members statewide.