Political Rewind: Tension Between Governor and Mayor As Both Lead Through Virus

Credit: RON HARRIS / AP

Monday on Political Rewind, the relationship between Gov. Brian Kemp and Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has frayed, as both officials take opposing views on how to govern during the pandemic.

A once productive and collegial relationship is now soured by open fighting. What brought us here?

“At the end of the day, the breaking point was when [Mayor Bottoms] called [Gov. Kemp] out for bringing in the National Guard to protect state buildings,” Republican strategist Brian Robinson said. “And he just said, ‘Enough.’”

Georgia State University Prof. Amy Steigerwalt said one of the flashpoints is confusion over conflicting mask mandates. As local leaders push their own rules on masks, what action will Kemp take?

“The question is, ‘What is going to happen now?’” Steigerwalt said.

And, Georgian is an important battleground in the 2020 election. Voter participation in the recent primary is underlining the state’s significance for the strategies of Democrats and Republicans.

“[There are] Democrats who worry about a repeat of 2016 and are urging Biden to focus on the traditional battleground states but you have these numbers that are just showing incredible movement among Democrats in places like Arizona, Texas and Georgia,” Galloway said.

Panelists:

Howard Franklin — Democratic Strategist

Jim Galloway — Lead Political Writer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Brian Robinson — Republican Strategist

Amy Steigerwalt — Political Science Professor, Georgia State University