Atlanta Mayors Endorse Barnes

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – Today, two former Atlanta Mayors and the daughter of a third endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Roy Barnes one month before a contested primary election.

Atlanta Mayors Andrew Young and Shirley Franklin argue Barnes will take the right approach towards education. Franklin says the state needs to forge better partnerships with teachers, school administrators and school boards.

"Roy Barnes has that kind of determination," Franklin said. "He has that kind of commitment. He has committed in fact to have a classroom teacher and other teachers giving him advice and counsel on education."

Businesswoman Brooke Jackson Edmond joined Franklin and Young. She's the daughter of the late Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson.

A recent Insider Advantage poll shows Barnes with a strong primary lead. In an interview with WABE, Barnes recently played down the poll saying he's confident the 7 candidate primary will go to a runoff.