Reed Formally Enters Mayoral Race

By Odette Yousef

Atlanta, GA – Former State Senator Kasim Reed today formally entered the race for Atlanta mayor by submitting his qualifying papers and fee. He's the last of the front-runners to officially enter the race this week.

WABE's Odette Yousef reports.

Supporters waved signs as they stood behind Reed on the steps of City Hall. Reed, like all the other front-runners, highlighted public safety as his number one priority:

REED: While I intend to be a muscular mayor when it comes to violence and crime, and while I intend to let every criminal know that I will fight as hard against them as they are fighting against us, I also want you to know that we will have a surge in compassion.

Reed reiterated his promise to open all the city's recreational centers for youths, to curb delinquency and foster learning programs. He also responded to a remark that opponent Lisa Borders made, saying that paying attention to Reed would be "looking behind":

REED: If she looks behind her, she won't be seeing anybody, because she'll be looking in the wrong direction.

Reed is running in third place, and Borders in second, but his campaign cites numbers that put him much closer to Borders than earlier outside polls have.

Odette Yousef, WABE News.