Mayoral bombshell #2: Here come de judge
August 15, 2008 at 5:12 pm by Scott Henry in NewsBeing a Superior Court judge is a pretty sweet gig. You set your own hours. Everyone calls you “Your Honor.” And when you hold people in contempt, they go to jail. It’s not just the job of a lifetime – it’s the job for a lifetime.
So what would induce someone to voluntarily leave these perks behind and jump back into the job market? Well, in one case we can think of, the goal would be to trade a seat on the bench for the throne in City Hall.
Yes, it seems that Marvin Arrington, former City Council president and current Fulton Superior Court judge, is planning to make his second bid for the city’s top office.
Last time he ran for mayor, in 1997, he ended up in a runoff with the felonious Bill Campbell – a race so tight that the desperate Campbell crew felt compelled to commit massive campaign fraud in order to squeak out a win.
Still, being appointed to a cushy judgeship, as Arrington was in 2002 courtesy of then-Gov. Roy Barnes, would seem a decent consolation prize.
We would ask Arrington why a 67-year-old judge would want to subject himself to what promises to be a year of rough-and-tumble campaigning, but he didn’t return our call. However, it was the way he didn’t return it – by first getting a flack to see why we were calling – that seems to confirm what our well-placed sources tell us about his plans.
Frankly, part of our bewilderment about Arrington’s potential candidacy is that it doesn’t seem to make sense from a strategic point of view. Yes, Lisa Borders, an arguable front-runner, recently pulled out of the race. But, as we pointed out in an earlier (and quite entertaining) blog post, her exit has created the opportunity for a pro-business candidate – not Arrington’s strong suit.
In fact, apart from his age, an impressive 30 years of experience on the Council and the fact that he’s BFF with Bill Cosby, Arrington doesn’t bring much unique to the race. His brand of old-school city politics is all but obsolete, while such declared candidates as state Sen. Kasim Reed and Councilman Ceasar Mitchell represent the new, young face of Atlanta’s black leadership.
Give us a call, Judge. We’d love to hear from you.
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August 15th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Councilman Ceasar Mitchell should be the next Mayor of our City! He has been a responsible steward of public funds. He showed great leadership on the Water and Sewer issue to get the sity in compliance with EPA and EPD. He has fought for communities and citizens from Bankhead to Buckhead. He was born and raised and educated in Atlanta and understands the needs of All its citizens. He will put the People before personal or political agendas. He has unwavering integrity and he is a great guy. Looks Like a Win for the City! So Vote! for Ceasar Mitchell 11/3/09.
August 16th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Gosh Ceasar, you’re sure up and at um. Raised any money yet?
August 18th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Um..are you kidding me? Marvin “Bowlegged” Arrington? This is like a rerun. I mean right now there is not a quality candidate yet for the Mayor’s Race. Mary Norwood..LOL..please…she reminds me of that woman from Designing Women. Mary Norwood, on behalf of the taxpayers in Atlanta, thank you for supporting Brand Atlanta. How much money did the city give it? Ceasar Mitchell…um..he should run for council president. He has been a bit wishy washy on issues with Atlanta. Also he voted for Brand Atlanta as well. Kasim Reed…the Kwame Kilpatrick of Atlanta..um heck no. He just moved inside the City of Atlanta. Another career politician who is tied to Mayor Franklin. The same people who ran Mayor Franklin campaign are on Kasim Reed. Come on Atlanta wake up. Lisa Borders…good lord please. Lisa Border was not even a front runner or a good candidate. She wasn’t even an independent thinker as Council President. Come on Atlanta, we can do better.
August 19th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Completely agree with Can’t Wait. The crop of candidates is terribly disappointing.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Dear Judge Arrington,
Please do yourself and family a favor and sit this one out. Actually, just go ahead and make the decision not to run for anything else again.
For the sake of argument, I will agree that you were at one time an effective public servant. That time is now over. The city has moved past the ignorant, light-skinned vs. dark-skinned madness you spewed during your last mayoral race. The days of old school below I-20 politics are over. Atlanta is in need of effective, creative, business-like leadership. You do not represent those qualities.
Thanks!