ATLANTA — Atlanta is just days away from choosing its next mayor and the two finalists faced off on the important issues for voters on WSB-TV.
Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mary Norwood are both vying to replace Kasim Reed as Atlanta's next mayor.
The newest WSB-TV, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Landmark Communications poll was released Friday and it shows Mary Norwood with a 6-point lead, and less than 4 percent of voters undecided.
Atlanta mayoral runoff debateATLANTA MAYORAL DEBATE: Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mary Norwood face off in a debate LIVE at WSB-TV -- Updates here: http://2wsb.tv/2AGsHwu
Posted by WSB-TV on Sunday, December 3, 2017
Minute-by-minute updates:
6 p.m.: The debate has ended.
5:54 p.m.: The candidates are asked about Atlanta's pothole problems.
Norwood: "I will make sure like Mrs. Franklin did, we will have a pothole posse..." on the issue of potholes. Wants photos from citizens. Bottoms wants citizens to submit photos as well. #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
5:51 p.m.: Keisha Lance Bottoms said she agrees with the principles of the Democratic party.
Bottoms said she does not recall a decision that was different from the values of her party. #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
5:50 p.m.: Mary Norwood is asked about her independent background. She said that because that's who she is.
Norwood said she's chosen to be an independent "because that's who I am."
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
I have always been independent. I have always been progressive." She said her views have leaned Democrat. #ATLMayor
Norwood said the state is run by the GOP and the next mayor like Mayor Reed will have to work with the GOP. #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
5:41 p.m.: The candidates are asked about Atlanta police and how to keep officers happy and in the city.
Bottoms said much needs to be done to shore up police department, including new tech, pay that is at parity with surrounding jurisdiction and affordable housing. #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
On retaining officers, @JustinFarmerWSB asks if pay is the issue. Norwood said it revolves around several issues, including total compensation. #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
5:38 p.m.: Both candidates agreed on a moratorium on city contracts.
Norwood said she immediately agreed with council President Mitchell on a contracting moratorium. Said Bottoms was the only one who didn't agree to a moratorium. #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
Bottoms now said she agrees with a moratorium on contracts when there are any issues of potential impropriety. Said her early stance was that the city should continue to do its business. #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
5:31 p.m.: Mary Norwood responded to Keisha Lance Bottoms' question by saying the tape was spliced together.
Norwood said the language she used was "spliced and doctored" to misrepresent her words at that Republican meeting in June when she was secretly recorded #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
Norwood said she can produce evidence of improprieties and alleges people were trying to get voters to cross jurisdictional lines. #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
Bottoms hits Norwood on using words such as "thugs." Asks which parts were spliced. #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
Norwood: Said she wanted to save city embarrassment. also said she raised objections to protect people's right to vote if they were asked to do something improper. #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
5:30 p.m.: Keisha Lance Bottoms asks Mary Norwood directly about a tape in which Norwood used "racially-coded language" about voter fraud in 2009.
5:26 p.m.: Mary Norwood said transportation management systems are critical for Atlanta's transportation issue.
Norwood pitches a menu of transit, bike lines, transportation management systems and road improvements #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
5:25 p.m.: On transportation, Keisha Lance Bottoms said we should look at private rail lines.
On transportation, Bottoms said the city needs to be creative. Use private rail lines for public rail. Need work at balancing out communities across the city #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
5:23 p.m.: Mary Norwood responded to questions about properties with her name on them.
Norwood questioned on Augusta properties with liens said the properties in question are held by her brother. #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
Norwood said these Augusta properties are in a trust that are in her family controlled by her brother #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
5:20 p.m.: Keisha Lance Bottoms responded to questions about liens against her.
Bottoms on property tax liens against her: Two sets of liens, one just before we adopted my 15-year-old son and also during fertility treatments. #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
Bottoms said she and her husband had to make tough choices about whether to pay her taxes or her medical expenses. #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
5:10 p.m.: When asked about what she has done to crack down on corruption while being on the Atlanta City Council, Keisha Lance Bottoms said she has demanded transparency. Norwood said opposed having contracts being authorized before the next administration comes in.
Asked what she's done on council to crack down on corruption, Bottoms said she has demanded more transparency, demanded firing of an airport employee on an alleged ethics issue #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
Norwood said on council she has opposed having contracts being authorized before the next administration comes in. Referring to future major city contracts. #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
5:08 p.m.: Mary Norwood responded that she will overhaul the city government.
Norwood: "I know what we need to do is have a complete overhaul of city government." Said it is important next admin a clean break from the current. #ATLMayor#ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
5:06 p.m.: Keisha Lance Bottoms was questioned on the perceived notion of her being a "third term" for Kasim Reed. Bottoms responded that it is an "affront to strong women who succeed."
The notion that she is not independent of Reed or anyone else is a sexist question, Bottoms said. She also touted her new ethics overhaul plan. #ATLMayor
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 3, 2017
5:02 p.m.: Mary Norwood is chosen to give her opening statement first. Keisha Lance Bottoms follows.
5 p.m.: The debate has begun on WSB-TV!
4:52 p.m.: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's political Twitter account, @PoliticallyGa, is counting down the final minutes before the beginning of the debate.
The @wsbtv debate starts at 5 p.m.? This will get you up to speed on the state of the race #ATLMayor https://t.co/tnWRSrmxe4
— AJC Georgia Politics (@AJCGaPolitics) December 3, 2017
4:44 p.m.: The debate's panel is ready for the debate.
The debate panel is ready. @wsbtv 5pm #mayorsdebate pic.twitter.com/2C0CHdhtpv
— Dave Huddleston (@DaveHWSB) December 3, 2017
4:25 p.m.: Debate host Justin Farmer is taking a final look at the studio before the debate.
Studio just about ready. #ATLmayor live debate starts in 35 mins @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/gqisxOys9w
— Justin Farmer (@JustinFarmerWSB) December 3, 2017
3:42 p.m.: Channel 2's Dave Huddleston gets a sneak peek of the studio set ahead of the 5 p.m. debate.
The stage has been set! After the @AtlantaFalcons turn to @wsbtv to watch our live debate at 5. @KeishaBottoms @marynorwood. pic.twitter.com/Z4QzhprYSv
— Dave Huddleston (@DaveHWSB) December 3, 2017
3:30 p.m.: Debate host Justin Farmer is preparing for the debate between Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mary Norwood.
In the makeup room now, mayoral candidates @KeishaBottoms and @marynorwood side by side in chairs. I love politics. #debate starts live at 5p @wsbtv
— Justin Farmer (@JustinFarmerWSB) December 3, 2017
3:29 p.m.: Channel 2 producer Brian Lazaro makes his final checks before preparing the debate.
Final preps for #ATLMAYOR debate @wsbtv LIVE @5:00 today! #wsbtv @KeishaBottoms @marynorwood @JustinFarmerWSB @DaveHWSB @condo29 @bluestein @DonnaLampkin @AllThingsWSB pic.twitter.com/A9D526ojB5
— Brian Lazaro (@brianwsb) December 3, 2017
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