1997 Atlanta mayoral election

none January 2025 September 2023 1997 Atlanta mayoral election Flag of Atlanta.svg presidential no 1993 Atlanta mayoral election 1993 2001 Atlanta mayoral election 2001 November 4, 1997 (general)November 25, 1997 (runoff) First-round vote First-round percentage Second-round vote Second-round percentage x150px Bill Campbell Nonpartisan 32,251 46.05% 35,849 53.10% x150px Marvin S. Arrington Sr. Nonpartisan 25,424 36.30% 31,658 46.90% x150px Gloria Bromell Tinubu Nonpartisan 9,679 13.82% Mayor Bill Campbell Democratic Bill Campbell Democratic The 1997 Atlanta mayoral election occurred on November 4, 1997, with a runoff election held on November 25, 1997. Since no candidate received a majority in the general election, a runoff election was held between the top-two finishers. Incumbent mayor Bill Campbell won reelection in the runoff. Candidates Advanced to runoff Marvin S. Arrington Sr., Atlanta city councilor Bill Campbell, incumbent mayor Eliminated in general election John Genins Louise T. Hornsby Jack Jersawitz Doug Nelson G.B. Osborne J. Alley Pat Patrick Gloria Bromell Tinubu, Atlanta city councilor Campaign Ahead of the November 4 election, incumbent Campbell and challenger Arrington exchanged attacks, including personal attacks. Personal attacks between the candidates increased in the runoff. The race was regarded as one of the nastiest mayoral campaigns the city had seen in more than two decades.Atlanta mayor wins 2nd term in tough runoff https://www.deseret.com/1997/11/26/19347774/atlanta-mayor-wins-2nd-term-in-tough-runoff Deseret News 8 May 2021 en 26 November 1997 The discourse of the runoff campaign, which was between two black candidates, took on racial tones.Sack Kevin Atlanta Mayor Wins Runoff and 2d Term https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/26/us/atlanta-mayor-wins-runoff-and-2d-term.html The New York Times 8 May 2021 26 November 1997 Former mayor Maynard Jackson, a supporter of Campbell, likened White Republicans, who largely supported Arrington in the election, to "Lester Maddox types", and argued that, if Arrington were elected, it would reverse civil rights progress that the city had made. Arrington denounced such remarks as race baiting. Days later, Arrington attacked Jackson, accusing him of not participating in the civil rights movement, and argued that he had instead been "in Cleveland, passing", which was widely interpreted as meaning that the light skinned Jackson was "passing" as White. Many saw Arrington's remarks as having brought to the surface the political dynamics related to Campbell being a light-skinned black candidate and Arrington being a dark skinned black candidate. After Arrington's remarks sparked outrage, Arrington argued that he had instead meant to say that, during the early days of the civil rights movement, Jackson, "was in Cleveland, passing out dictionaries and encyclopedias." In response to Arrington's remarks, Jackson called Arrington, "an old burned-out, do-nothing, lackluster politician with serious insecurities and hidden angers." Campbell distributed materials by mail which argued that the, mayor's race "is now a civil rights issue", warning that, "if the ultraconservatives control City Hall we will lose the gains achieved during the last 25 years." Arrington criticized these mailers, arguing that they were code for saying that "White north Atlanta" would control City Hall if Arrington were elected. Both candidates sought to win the black vote, seen as critical to either candidate's paths to victory in a city where black people comprised two-thirds of the populace. Campbell's campaign spent roughly $3 million, which was roughly twice what Arrington's campaign spent.Campbell wins re-election in Atlanta https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/11/26/Campbell-wins-re-election-in-Atlanta/7269880520400/ UPI 8 May 2021 en 26 November 1997 Other campaign issues included crime and the safety of the city's water system. Turnout for the runoff was considered low. Results General election (November 4) Atlanta mayoral general election, 1997Atlanta Mayor https://www.newspapers.com/image/403909877 Newspapers.com The Atlanta Constitution en subscription 6 Nov 1997 Bill Campbell (incumbent) Nonpartisan election 32,251 46.05 Marvin S. Arrington Sr. Nonpartisan election 25,424 36.30 Gloria Bromell Tinubu Nonpartisan election 9,679 13.82 Louise T. Hornsby Nonpartisan election 1,690 2.41 J. Alley Pat Patrick Nonpartisan election 325 0.46 Jack Jersawitz Nonpartisan election 250 0.36 John Genins Nonpartisan election 198 0.28 G.B. Osborne Nonpartisan election 132 0.19 Doug Nelson Nonpartisan election 83 0.12 70,032 100 Runoff (November 25) Atlanta mayoral runoff election, 1997Atlanata Mayor's Race https://www.newspapers.com/image/4035414397 Newspapers.com The Atlanta Constitution en subscription 26 Nov 1997 Bill Campbell (incumbent) Nonpartisan election 35,849 53.10 Marvin S. Arrington Sr. Nonpartisan election 31,658 46.90 67,507 100 References Category:1997 in Atlanta Category:1997 Georgia (U.S. state) elections Category:1997 United States mayoral elections 1997