The former president of Atlanta's City Council said he's considering a run for state Attorney General, months after he waged an unsuccessful campaign to lead the state's largest city.
Democrat Ceasar Mitchell said he's been encouraged by party leaders to join the field challenging incumbent Republican Chris Carr. One other Democrat, former prosecutor Charlie Bailey, has already entered the race.
Mitchell said in a statement that challenging Carr would give him an opportunity to put his legal background and elected experience on the council, the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Georgia Municipal Association to use. He said he will make his decision quickly.
He doesn't have much time. He has until Friday to qualify for office, and Bailey has already picked up support from some prominent party officials.
Mitchell was elected to the council in 2001 and eight years later won the race to become the group’s president. He finished in sixth place in the crowded race for Atlanta mayor last year after raising more than $2 million for his bid.
He later endorsed Mary Norwood, who finished as runner-up in the runoff to fellow councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms. Mitchell has since returned to private practice at DLA Piper, where he focuses on real estate law and commercial transactions.
Democrats have had little problem drawing candidates for other statewide races, but Carr has scared off better-known challengers from both parties despite never running for public office before. A former economic commissioner, Carr was tapped to the post by Gov. Nathan Deal in October 2016.
Here's Mitchell’s full statement:
"The opportunity to put my civic experience, my legal experience and my leadership experience on the City Council, Atlanta Regional Commission and the Georgia Municipal Association to the benefit of all Georgians is quite humbling and something I have been asked to consider. I will decide quickly."
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