Mayoral runoff likely in Atlanta

ATLANTA, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- The mayoral race in Atlanta appeared headed for a runoff late Tuesday with Councilwoman Mary Norwood leading with almost half the vote.

If she wins, Norwood would be the city's first white mayor elected since Maynard Jackson became the first black Atlanta mayor in 1973.

To win without a runoff, a mayoral candidate must have more than 50 percent of the vote. If it is needed, the runoff would be in December.

With most of the precincts reporting, Norwood had 46 percent of the vote and state Sen. Kasim Reed 37 percent, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. City Council President Lisa Borders trailed with 14 percent.

Norwood, a graduate of Emory University, was elected to an at-large seat on the city council in 2001 after years as a civic activist.

Reed has been in the state Senate since 2002. He was Mayor Shirley Franklin's campaign manager in 2001.