Maynard Jackson Again Seeks Top Atlanta Post

Maynard Jackson, who became the first black man to serve as Atlanta’s mayor nearly 16 years ago, announced Thursday that he is again a candidate for the office.

Jackson was first elected mayor in October, 1973, defeating incumbent Sam Massell with 60% of the vote. He left office in 1981, barred by the city charter from seeking a third consecutive term.

“Frankly, I did not have time to do all I wanted to do,” Jackson said, launching his bid for the Oct. 3 nonpartisan election in an evening rally on the steps of City Hall. He was joined by his wife, Valerie, and his four children.

Mayor Andrew Young, who has served two terms since he succeeded Jackson in 1981, was not present.

An estimated 1,500 people turned out for the event, among them at least 250 red-shirted supporters chanting “May-nard” as they waved placards bearing the same slogan used in his first mayoral campaign: “Maynard for Mayor.”

‘Help Is on the Way’

“I have listened carefully over the years . . . and people are asking for help,” Jackson said. “That’s why I’m running for mayor of Atlanta. I promise you help is on the way.”

Jackson is the second candidate to enter the race. Fulton County Commissioner Michael Lomax, who worked in Jackson’s 1973 campaign and served in his subsequent administration, announced his mayoral bid on New Year’s Day.

In a brief speech, Jackson identified issues such as drugs, crime and assistance for elderly citizens. He also talked of planting trees in the city and paying closer attention to civic matters.

Jackson promised that he would run his campaign “on the high road,” despite predictions that the race between Jackson and Lomax would be a bitter one.

“We’ll run the kind of campaign that’ll make Atlanta proud,” Jackson said. “But if somebody swings at me, I’m gonna swing back.”