Mayoral candidates raise big money to replace Kasim Reed

Candidates to replace Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to become the city’s next leader.

Candidates to replace Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to become the city’s next leader.

Preliminary numbers in the crowded field to replace Kasim Reed as the next mayor of Atlanta show candidates raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in the most recent filing period.

Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell's campaign said he raised $1.26 million in his quest to replace Reed while former Atlanta COO Peter Aman said early Wednesday that he has raised $1.039 million since announcing his candidacy in early 2016.

Cathy Woolard, a former Atlanta City Council President, reported raising nearly $600,000 during the filing period that ended Jan. 31. while City Councilwoman Mary Norwood reported raising $400,000 in the first 100 days of her campaign from more than 1,000 donors.

State Sen. Vincent Fort released his fund-raising numbers on Tuesday, raising a reported $250,000, aided greatly by the backing of his candidacy by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall, who jumped into the race two weeks ago, said he raised about $4,000, but expects to be a contender as he gets his candidacy up and running.

“We just filed and we have some major events coming up that we’ll be making public real soon,” Hall said, adding that he anticipates a runoff because of the number of candidates.

The race to replace Reed, who is finishing out his second term this year, also includes Atlanta City Councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms and Michael Sterling, former head of the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency.

Check back for more numbers as they become available.