Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and members of the city’s business community have formed a new independent committee to help shape the outcome of this fall’s municipal elections.
Reed is the largest backer of the group, Continue Atlanta’s Progress, giving $75,000 to the entity created in mid-October. So far, the committee has raised $90,000, according to records filed late Tuesday night with the state ethics commission.
In a statement released exclusively to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, committee chair Robert Highsmith said the group will use its funds for the Atlanta school board race and city council elections, and released a list of candidates Reed will support through the entity.
“The future of our city is directly tied to the effectiveness of the Atlanta Public Schools,” Highsmith said in an emailed statement. “To attract new businesses and new residents, Atlanta must boast one of the nation’s best school systems. To make that happen, we intend to support strong candidates for the local school board.”
For school board, Reed is backing Reuben McDaniel, Steve Lee, Brenda Muhammad, Jason Estevez, Eshe Collins, Courtney English, Matt Westmoreland and Byron Amos, according to the statement.
For Atlanta City Council, Reed is supporting Aaron Watson, Natalyn Archibong, Carla Smith, Cleta Winslow and Ricardo Mosby.
Absent from the list is Councilman H. Lamar Willis, a Reed ally who is running against Andre Dickens, a newcomer with the support of former mayor Shirley Franklin.
Highsmith said the intent of the committee is to “sustain and build” on Reed’s successes.
“We’ve enacted major pension reform that has provided a model for cities and counties to follow. We’ve held the line on property taxes during the worst recession of our lifetimes; bolstered the city’s reserves to more than $100 million, significantly reduced crime and attained the elusive goal of a 2,000-strong police force,” Highsmith said. “To keep the momentum going, Continue Atlanta’s Progress will assist candidates who will continue to support change and reform.”
Now with two weeks left before voters cast ballots for the next mayor, Atlanta City Council and school board, the independent expenditure committee can raise and spend unlimited funds to get voters out to the polls.
Other early contributors include airport vendor Hojeij Branded Foods, which gave $10,000, and investment firm JH Hollis & Company at $5,000.
So far, the nascent committee backed by Reed has spent just shy of $3,000 on consultant fees. But how the group will spend its money in the final weeks is yet to be seen.
“Independent expenditure committees can have a great impact on elections, because there is no limit to the amount they may raise and spend as long as they don’t coordinate with the candidates,” said Doug Chalmers, managing member of the Political Law Group in Atlanta.
This story is developing. For updates, return to AJC.com.
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