Georgia 2018: Abrams lands mayoral backers

Democrat gov contender races for local endorsements
Stacey Abrams is running for governor.

Credit: AJC file

Credit: AJC file

Stacey Abrams is running for governor.

Stacey Abrams landed the endorsements of more than 100 local officials Monday as she raced for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Abrams, once the Georgia House’s top Democrat, lined up endorsements from ex-Savannah Mayor Edna Jackson, Atlanta School Board President Jason Esteves and dozens of other city council members, school board officials and county commissioners.

She faces former state Rep. Stacey Evans in a May primary to succeed Gov. Nathan Deal. Five Republicans are also in the race.

Abrams’ list of supporters is dotted with the names of mayors, but the leaders of some of Georgia’s biggest cities have thus stayed out of the race.

Hardie Davis of Augusta, Teresa Tomlinson of Columbus and Rob Reichert of Macon have not yet publicly backed either contender. Savannah Mayor Eddie DeLoach is a Republican. And the state’s most prominent mayor, Atlanta’s Keisha Lance Bottoms, has not yet formally endorsed either candidate but was a contributor to Evans’ campaign.