Months before the election, Martin, Tomlinson already battling for black votes | Latest News | Columbus Ledger Enquirer

Mayor Teresa Tomlinson had strong black support in the last election, but she may face stiff competition this time around.

As former Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce Vice President Colin Martin officially announced his candidacy on Thursday, four black elected officials were front and center, indicating they may be leaning in his direction.

Those who sat on the front row among seven elected officials were Municipal Court Clerk Vivian Creighton Bishop, Columbus Councilor Bruce Huff, Muscogee County Marshal Greg Countryman, and Muscogee County Tax Commissioner Lula Huff. Also present was Tomlinson’s former campaign manager, Tollie Strode, who has parted ways with the mayor since the last election.

One of the co-chairs of Martin’s campaign is the Rev. Betty Jackson, pastor of Mt. Commodore AME Church, who made introductory remarks at the campaign launch. When Martin addressed the audience, he stressed, among other things, his commitment to south Columbus, a predominantly black community.

“To the residents of south Columbus who have had too many politicians make promises that are unfulfilled, I say, ‘Hold on. Help is on the way,'” said Martin, who grew up in Oakland Park.

“South Columbus is not just where I’m from, it’s who I am. We will work together to build on the assets already in place to create jobs and build the quality of life you deserve and create economic prosperity for future generations.”

With a black population of about 46 percent, the black vote will be crucial in the 2014 election.

For the 2010 mayoral race, Tomlinson managed to build a coalition that bridged the city’s racial, socioeconomic and geographic divides. She reached out to black pastors, politicians, business leaders and grassroots activists.

Despite being in a runoff against Zeph Baker, a youth minister at Spirit Filled Ministries who would have been the city’s first black mayor, Tomlinson won five of the city’s 12 minority precincts in addition to sweeping all the majority-white precincts.

Reasons for support

Black elected officials who attended the kick-off on Thursday gave different reasons as to why they were there.

“Currently many people worry about crime and don’t like the direction the city is going in,” said Countryman, who supported Tomlinson in the last election and is now backing Martin. “We all have the luxury in this country of supporting the candidate that we feel is in our best interest. Right now, Colin Martin meets the criteria for my interest, and that’s public safety.”

Bruce Huff said the strong showing of black leaders “speaks for itself,” but he wouldn’t elaborate further. Lula Huff, his sister-in-law, refused to comment. Vivian Creighton Bishop said she wanted to hear what all the candidates had to say before she decided who to support.