Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms reelection

During today's news conference at City Hall, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms did not shy away from speaking out against the challenges she has faced during her mayoral term. 

The Atlanta mayor has come under renewed scrutiny this week after the Atlanta Civil Service Board reinstated Atlanta Police Officer Garrett Rolfe, currently facing murder charges in the death of Rayshard Brooks.

The shooting led to days of unrest in the city last summer. Mayor Bottoms announced Rolfe's firing shortly after Brooks' death. 

"Our position has been steadfast, that we followed the procedures that needed to be followed under those emergency circumstances. The board disagreed which was their right to disagree," she said.

Bottoms said she's consulting with her legal team regarding an appeal to the board. 

"I respect our officers, but you can hold them accountable and also be respectful of the job that they do in the way that they put themselves in harm's way each and every day," she said.

The Atlanta mayor vowed to continue championing housing and criminal justice reforms to make the city better before she leaves office. 

"We are facing a spike in crime, that I will continue to do everything I can do alongside [Atlanta Police] Chief Bryant, and the other men and women of this city to make sure that this city is safe. And I'm doing that, not because I'm mayor but, because I'm a mother in this city."

Bottoms also made clear she did not join President Biden's Cabinet because she wanted to remain committed to her term as mayor. She praised his continued support.

"Being Mayor with President Biden in the White House has made a world of difference. The ability to pick up the phone and have someone that you can call with an expectation that they will help you and not harm you. "

Bottoms ends her term in January 2022. 

Atlanta politicos were surprised by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms' decision to not run for reelection, but they were hardly shocked. Despite her strong national profile, she’s run into some headwinds ahead of her expected run for reelection.

The city has seen a spike in crime and she would have faced at least a couple of primary challengers.

Two are already in the race, another could be joining and there is the shadow of her old ally-turned-critic, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.

In her news conference Friday, Bottoms alluded to recent criticism from Reed. 

Part of the confusion and rumor-spinning stemmed from Bottoms’ release of a memo, first to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, earlier this week of internal polling that showed her with strong standing in the city and suggested her would-be primary rivals “are unknown to large swaths of Atlantans.”

In statement published online late Thursday night, Bottoms wrote that her decision was not based on an inability to fundraise, a belief that she wouldn't win again or fear of competition in her bid for a second term as 60th mayor of Atlanta.

CNN's Keith Allen and Ryan Young contributed reporting to this post. 

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms just wrapped up a news conference following her announcement that she won't seek reelection this year.

Bottoms — who has emerged as a rising star in the Democratic Party — said she does not know what is next for her and did not announce any plans for her next moves. She noted her decision was "made from a position of strength and not weakness."

She said she would not be accepting a job with Walgreens, denying reports of her next move.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms addressed her at times contentious relationship with GOP Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, saying she hopes the next mayor will have a "good working relationship" with the state's leaders.

Bottoms announced late Thursday that she would not seek reelection for a second term.

Bottoms clashed with Kemp over coronavirus guidance. The governor filed a lawsuit against her in July over Atlanta's mask mandate that he said violated his emergency orders prohibiting local action from being more prohibitive than the state's requirements.

Earlier that month, Bottoms — who had tested positive for coronavirus — also decided to roll back the city's reopening, citing an alarming increase in coronavirus cases and drawing Kemp's ire.

CNN's Keith Allen and Ryan Young contributed reporting to this post. 

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said in a news conference this morning that she will not be seeking reelection as she feels it is time "to pass the baton."

"The decision that I have made after thoughtful prayer and consideration is not to seek another term as mayor of this city," Bottoms said during a news conference this morning.

Bottoms said she does not know what is next for her, but noted this is a decision that was "made from a position of strength and not weakness." The mayor also said she would not be accepting a job with Walgreens, denying reports of her next move.

"This has been the highest honor, to serve as mayor of this city," the mayor said.

Bottoms announced late Thursday night that she will not run for reelection this year.

"As (husband) 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," Bottoms wrote in a letter published online.

She thanked her team and said she was "immensely proud" who she has served with.

Some more background: An early backer of President Biden and a contender to serve as his vice president, Bottoms has emerged as a rising star in the Democratic Party.

She has repeatedly used her platform as mayor of a major American city to weigh in on a slew of high-profile issues through the lens of their impact on Atlanta, from voting rights to pandemic guidelines.

CNN's Keith Allen and Ryan Young contributed reporting to this post. 

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is holding a news conference now from Atlanta City Hall.

The mayor is expected to speak about why she will not run for reelection this year.

Bottoms wrote that her decision was not based on an inability to fundraise, a belief that she wouldn't win again, or fear of competition in her bid for a second term as 60th mayor of Atlanta.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who announced late Thursday night that she will not run for reelection this year, has a news conference scheduled for 10 a.m. ET. She'll speak from Atlanta's City Hall.

Bottoms yesterday wrote that her decision was not based on an inability to fundraise, a belief that she wouldn't win again, or fear of competition in her bid for a second term as 60th mayor of Atlanta.

She has not said what she plans to do next.

Facing a high-stakes test of her leadership at home, Atlanta Mayor Bottoms stepped into the national spotlight last summer by denouncing vandalism in her city as "chaos" after demonstrations over the death of George Floyd turned violent and destructive.

This year, as Republican-controlled legislatures nationwide have moved to pass restrictive voting laws, Bottoms in April urged those looking to boycott Georgia-based companies over the state's new elections law to instead vote and back federal voting legislation.

The mayor has slammed the Georgia law, which imposes new voter identification requirements for absentee ballots, empowers state officials to take over local elections boards, limits the use of ballot drop boxes and makes it a crime to approach voters in line to give them food and water.

She also weighed in on the motive of a suspected shooter who allegedly killed eight people, including six Asian women, in Atlanta-area spas earlier this year, saying that she believes race played a role in the attacker's motivations.

Like other lawmakers facing intrastate tension during the pandemic, Bottoms clashed with the state's Republican governor, Brian Kemp, over coronavirus guidance.

Kemp filed a lawsuit against her in July over Atlanta's mask mandate that he said violated his emergency orders prohibiting local action from being more prohibitive than the state's requirements. Earlier that month, Bottoms — who had tested positive for coronavirus — also decided to roll back the city's reopening, citing an alarming increase in coronavirus cases and drawing Kemp's ire

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced late Thursday night that she will not run for reelection this year.

"As (husband) 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," Bottoms wrote in a letter published online.

Bottoms wrote that her decision was not based on an inability to fundraise, a belief that she wouldn't win again, or fear of competition in her bid for a second term as 60th mayor of Atlanta.

"I have engaged in several elections, facing multiple candidates, and never once have I cowarded from the competition," Bottoms wrote.

A source said that the mayor made the announcement during a virtual call which included members of her finance team on Thursday night.