Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Not Running for Re-Election, Denies Plans to Work at Walgreens or Leave the City

Yesterday, it was reported that Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms will not seek re-election and that she has reportedly accepted a position to work at Chicago-based Walgreens.

BREAKING: Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms will not seek re-election & she has reportedly accepted a position with @Walgreens – WSBTV

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 7, 2021

Bottoms told supporters about her decision not to seek re-election on a virtual meeting last night and tweeted a letter about her decision. She had a press conference scheduled for this morning.

At that press conference, Bottoms confirmed the public office plans but flatly rejected the idea that she would go work for Walgreens, where she is friends with CEO Rosalind Brewer, or leave the city of Atlanta.

From the press conference:

“What I know is that in the absence of my speaking my truth, people will insert a narrative, which is why I’m here today. Ros Brewer is my girl, I love her dearly, but she didn’t get to be the CEO of Walgreens by offering jobs to random friends,” the mayor said. “I am not going to Walgreens in Chicago, (her husband) Derek is not going to Walgreens in Idaho. I can’t get Derek to move two miles off of Cascade Road, so I promise you that is not true.”

From the letter:

“As Derek and I have given thoughtful prayer and consideration to the season now before us, it is with deep emotions that I hold my head high, and choose not to seek another term as Mayor. As I have done each day over the many years in which I have served in public office, through the remainder of my term, I will make every decision, keeping what is best for our communities top of mind, and will continue to work diligently to improve the lives of those in our city. I love you Atlanta. Thank you for the honor of serving as your Mayor.”

https://t.co/4yHFpvnVre pic.twitter.com/b7IJEIyojq

— Keisha Lance Bottoms (@KeishaBottoms) May 7, 2021

From 11 Alive:

The mayor did not provide any further insight into what she might next pursue, but said if she had wanted to remain mayor, she was fully confident she would have won.

“I don’t know what’s next for me personally and for our family, but what I do know is that this is a decision made from a position of strength and not weakness,” she said.

The mayor highlighted her fundraising strength and polls that suggested an overwhelming hand if she were to run for re-election.

But, she said, “just because you can do it doesn’t always necessarily mean you should do it.”

“I can be mayor again,” Bottoms said. “But there is a reason that there are elections every four years, and in the same way the people have an opportunity to make a decision every four years, candidates also have the opportunity to make a decision. And the decision that I have made after thoughtful prayer and consideration is not to seek another term as mayor of this city.”

We will do our best to update you more on this bizarre story as it unfolds, and as the facts come to light.