Atlanta City Councilwoman Mary Norwood formally entered the race for mayor on Wednesday.
“Today I’m taking the first step in becoming your next mayor,” Norwood said in an email. “I’m following the law and filing to accept contributions. Over the next several weeks, I will continue to be in communities throughout our city with Atlantans from every part of our great city.”
The announcement gives Norwood another run for the city’s highest office after she lost to Mayor Kasim Reed in 2009 by 700 votes.
She will have lots of competition in the contest.
More than a dozen people have declared their intentions or are rumored to be interested, including City Council President Ceasar Mitchell, former City Councilwoman Cathy Woolard, former city of Atlanta Chief operating officer Peter Aman and Fulton County Commissioner and former Atlanta City Councilman Robb Pitts.
Others include state Rep. Margaret Kaiser (D-Atlanta) and perennial mayoral candidates Elbert Bartell and Debra Ann Hampton.
Reed’s term ends next year due to term limits.
Whether Norwood would run was often speculated as the names of contenders began trickling out earlier this year. Norwood seemingly fanned the chatter last month after she told a condo association that she was forming an exploratory committee for a possible run, according to the Buckhead Review.
Norwood had previously said she would wait until after the Nov. 8 Presidential election to announce whether she would jump in.
“I am running for mayor of Atlanta to give all Atlantans a responsible, transparent and accountable government that will ensure that we have a safe city, a sustainable city and a prosperous city for ALL of our citizens,” Norwood said in the email. “With over 25 years of citywide service, I have a unique understanding of our city’s communities—their issues, needs, and aspirations.”
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