Felicia Moore

‘I’m just running 150 miles an hour’

It was a cold Saturday morning as Felicia Moore received an endorsement from the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, whose founder voiced faith in her ability to advance Atlanta’s affordable housing landscape if elected mayor.

She spoke to the organization over a videoconference call in the car, as she traveled to the first of many public appearances slated over the course of a long day of campaigning, with just 10 days remaining before Tuesday’s mayoral runoff election.

By 10 a.m., the council president was at Bessie Branham Park in Kirkwood, where she stood at a podium in the foreground of a children’s kickball game. She wore a green skirt suit and pink blouse — her Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority colors — as several elected officials vouched for her leadership as a 20-year veteran lawmaker on the Atlanta City Council.

DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw called Moore an “accessible” public servant. Fellow DeKalb Commissioner Jeff Rader vouched for her in part by criticizing her rival, councilman Andre Dickens: Rader called Moore a collaborative visionary who doesn’t dictate what should be done, unlike “technocrats or committee chairs.”

DeKalb Sheriff Melody Maddox called Moore the perfect leader to address the region’s crime issues because Moore “is not about celebrity but is about the community.”

When it was Moore’s turn at the mic, she paused her speech to wave to a honking supporter driving by. She then addressed the biggest issue in the race — crime.

“The people who are committing crimes don’t care about whether you’re in DeKalb or Fulton or Atlanta,” Moore said. “What they do care about is whether or not they’re going to be held accountable for their crimes, and we are going to make sure that we take our city back.”

When the news conference ended, Moore hugged supporters and slipped into black low top sneakers to greet families on the playground. She shook hands with parents and children before Zirka Smith asked for a photograph.

“We are huge fans,” Smith said while holding her 4-yearold daughter, Campbell, for their selfie with Moore. “We love you.”

Moore’s team then reminded her of the busy schedule to come: meet and greets, lunch, a 1 p.m. “Women for Felicia” rally, and two fundraisers. It was back to the race.

“I’m just running 150 miles an hour,” Moore said.