Mayor Kasim Reed raises $1.7M for campaign against nobody (Atlanta: 2013, cabinet)

[tonygeorgia]

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has raised $1.7 million for a re-election bid in 2013. But, so far, no one has stepped up to compete, reports Atlanta Business Chronicle broadcast partner WXIA-TV.
Reed says the absence of an opponent is irrelevant to his job as a candidate seeking re-election. "So whether somebody runs or doesn't run, I'm going to wake up every single day not taking anything for granted, because I'm going to do what it necessary to be re-elected mayor of the city," Reed said, the station reports.

Reed’s fundraising has undoubtedly deterred potential opponents, WXIA reports. Reed says his record also has. Reed told the station he has hired 700 police officers, lowered crime, balanced budgets, and tackled the costly issue of city pensions - while increasing the city's reserve fund. Reed just highlighted a few areas — increasing the city’s cash reserves from $7.4 million to $126 million; having been able to secure $200 million in grants from the federal government; working with Gov. Nathan Deal on efforts to deepen the Port of Savannah. reopening all the city’s recreation centers and being able to reduce the city’s pension costs.

[rorqual]

Meanwhile in many other special elections around Georgia, Republicans are running unapposed against a useless GA Democratic Party with token Libertarian opponents.

[ChefRamsey]

Nobody wants to become the mayor of Atlanta? Shawty Lo should run. He'd probably win.

[tonygeorgia]

Originally Posted by ChefRamsey

Nobody wants to become the mayor of Atlanta? Shawty Lo should run. He'd probably win.

Nobody imo would win. If he didn't keep his previous promises they have had a chance but that didn't happen

[ChefRamsey]

Originally Posted by tonygeorgia

Nobody imo would win. If he didn't keep his previous promises they have had a chance but that didn't happen

..I was joking. I would not want Shawty Lo running Atlanta tony.

[BobKovacs]

So if no one runs against him, where does the $1.7 million go???

[cqholt]

That's cause its going to be landslide victory!

[AcidSnake]

I'm not surprised by these news.

I would've thought that City Council President Ceasar Mitchell would throw the gauntlet down, but maybe he is waiting until Kasim finishes what will likely be a second term as mayor(If President Obama doesn't bring Kasim into the Presidential Cabinet, of course).

[RocNY]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

So if no one runs against him, where does the $1.7 million go???

His pockets

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

So if no one runs against him, where does the $1.7 million go???

It's common for incumbents to build up a "war chest" to try to deter any challengers. That's just one of the reasons it's so difficult to unseat a sitting politician.