Voters in the “Black Mecca” are asking themselves how important it is to maintain a streak of black mayors dating to 1974.

By Richard Faucet from Atlanta for NYTimes.com, Nov. 3

[....] Mr. Reed, who is barred by term limits from seeking a third four-year term, has overseen a period of urban renaissance that has also seen Atlanta become wealthier and whiter. Since 2010, the percentage of blacks has diminished from 54 percent of the city population to about 51 percent.

This year, polls show the front-runner to be a white woman, Mary Norwood, an indefatigable former Junior League vice president from the tony neighborhood of Buckhead. Central to Ms. Norwood’s appeal is her promise to fight for all neighborhoods, a message that nearly earned her the mayoralty in 2009, when she lost to Mr. Reed in a runoff by about 700 votes.

Ms. Norwood, an at-large councilwoman, is convinced that black voters will see beyond race. “We have been so forward thinking, so progressive and so inclusive, and that’s the way our people work in this town,” she said. “I have wonderful support all across the city.” [....]

The idea that a victorious white candidate would break a streak of African-Americans dating to 1974 does not sit well with everyone [....]