Vincent Fort (right) endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (left) presidential bid in 2016. (Photos by Huffington Post/Bob Andres for the AJC)
Former presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) is headed to Atlanta this week to back former State Sen. Vincent Fort in the race to become the city’s next mayor.
The visit, announced last week by Fort himself, will take place Saturday, Sept. 30, at 3 p.m. Saint Philips AME Church in Atlanta, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Famous rapper-turned-activist Killer Mike, who has also endorsed Fort, is expected to attend the event as well.
With just six weeks to go before voters head to the polls, the Georgia senator has stuck to his efforts in trying to model his mayoral bid after Sanders’ presidential campaign in hopes of succeeding current Mayor Kasim Reed. He’s called for the decriminalization of marijuana, police accountability, more fair and affordable housing and investing in the arts.
Last year, Fort drew the wrath of some Democrats elites after publicly endorsing Sanders’ bid for president. He was the highest-profile Democrat from Georgia to back the Vermont senator’s campaign, the AJC reported.
Now, Sanders is looking to return the favor. Back in January, he gave Fort his full support, pushed several campaign letters on behalf of the cash-strapped candidate and is slated to make a personal pitch come Saturday.
Fort is just one among nearly a dozen candidates gunning for the mayoral seat. Recent polls show his popularity has soared among voters, however, and his policy issues are gaining traction.
