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By Robert Green Atlanta Trend

• Aug 16, 2021

Norwood Current Lead in Race for Mayor

Atlanta City Council member Mary Norwood appears to be in good shape for her campaign to become the next Mayor of Atlanta. In July her campaign manager announced that she had raised over $1,000,000 to support her campaign and on September 19th, the International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO) local Atlanta chapter endorsed Mary Norwood for mayor on Monday. Local 623 organization represents nearly 1,200 officers of the Atlanta police department.

“The officers and members of IBPO Local 623 are eager to see Mary Norwood become Atlanta’s next mayor,” said Atlanta IBPO President Lieutenant Stephen Zygaj. “Her integrity and record on transparency set her apart plus she has a deep grasp of all of the issues that impact public safety.

“Norwood has been a consistent advocate for Atlanta police and public safety personnel during her years in public service.”

The organization said Norwood’s city-wide knowledge and relationship with individual neighborhoods also factored in the IBPO decision to support her candidacy.

“Her ability to cross lines in each community is a tremendous asset,” said Ken Allen, former IBPO Atlanta president and current national IBPO representative. “She genuinely understands that there are different needs in different communities. Atlanta police will benefit from having a mayor who truly understands the many different environments we patrol.”

Polls conducted over the summer show Norwood dominating the large field of mayoral candidates. For example, an SDR Consulting, Inc. poll, reported by WXIA, showed that among the eight leading candidates, 30% of likely voters said they would vote for Norwood if the election was held that day.  That number was 18% ahead of her closest rival.

Norwood was first among Democrats, Independents and Republicans. She maintained a 5% lead among African American voters with 20% supporting her. She had 41% support among non-Latino white voters. Similarly, 32% of men and 28% of women surveyed supported her, as did a majority of likely voters age 35 and older. She had a 59% favorability rating among likely voters.

In her first run for Mayor of Atlanta in 2009, Norwood made the runoff, but was defeated by Kasim Reed by 620 votes.