After winning re-election in a bitter runoff, Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell faces the task of uniting a city divided by one of its nastiest campaigns in more than 20 years.
"It has been a difficult and tough campaign for all of us, not just for those who have been running," Campbell said Tuesday night after defeating longtime political rival Marvin Arrington, the City Council president.In a grudge match over which candidate was more in touch with the city's black population, Campbell won with 35,849 votes, or 53 percent, according to unofficial returns. Arrington received 31,658 votes, or 47 percent.
Campbell, 44, who had finished first over nine challengers in the nonpartisan general election on Nov. 4, served three terms on the City Council before being elected mayor in 1993.
Arrington, 56, proved to be a stronger challenger than expected. Though less poised and polished than Campbell, he hadn't lost an election since he was first elected to the council 27 years ago.
"I wish the mayor well," Arrington said. "But we fought the good fight. Any time the public has spoken, then I'm satisfied."
Race still became an issue as the candidates, bvoth of whom are black, battled for crucial votes among blacks, who make up two-thirds of the city's population of 426,000.