https://www.wabe.org/former-atlanta-mayor-shirley-franklin-endorses-mary-norwood/

"“For me, race was not the first issue,” Franklin said outside of Atlanta City Hall. “Character, transparency and integrity are the first issues for me.”

She said some have raised questions about her decision.

“Some of my friends who’ve known me for a long time say this might hurt my legacy because I’m supporting a white woman over a black woman, but I think that’s yesterday’s news,” Franklin said. “We live in a diverse society. We live in a society where people are able to represent us from all kinds of backgrounds.”