EXCLUSIVE: Mary Norwood speaks about run for Atlanta mayor

ATLANTA — Mary Norwood, a longtime local politician, spoke only with Channel 2 Action News about her decision to run for mayor of Atlanta.

Norwood ran for mayor in 2009 and lost to Kasim Reed, and says that in this election, the field is much more crowded.

"I want a prosperous, sustainable and most importantly safe city. There are things we can do to ensure all three of those concepts," Norwood said.

In an exclusive interview, Norwood explained why she considers herself the best choice in a crowded field of candidates.

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"I think what I uniquely bring is an understanding of the breadth of the city the issues that are out there. I know these communities so well and I have served them for so long," Norwood said.

When Norwood joined city council in 2013, many observers expected she would eventually enter the crowded mayoral race.

Some of the declared candidates are Council President Ceasar Mitchell, Mayor Reed's former Chief Operating Officer Peter Aman, Rep. Margaret Kaiser and former Council President Cathy Woolard.

"There is indeed a cast of thousands, that's what's going to make this race exciting," Norwood said.

Woolard says each candidate is going to not only have to prove they have a vision for the city, but to prove they can make it happen.

"I have proven that I have vision in terms of working on the Beltline and really bringing to life a really complex problem by bringing people together to get it done," Norwood said.

Cox Media Group