Atlanta City Council president race heats up with clash over training center

Zoom in: Despite the lofty title, City Council presidents have limited power and three main duties: presiding over full body meetings, appointing Council committees and casting the tie-breaking vote.

Catch up quick: This past week, a coalition of social justice groups including the Working Families Party, which endorsed Malhotra, blasted a now-offline website that called him an "extreme candidate," labeling the attacks racist and xenophobic.

• The site linked Malhotra to anti-training center groups that received grants from the Center for Civic Innovation, the nonprofit he founded and led until launching his bid.

Between the lines: Malhotra told Axios the grants were part of a nonpartisan civic initiative called Vote ATL to boost turnout. Current elected officials participated in the voter engagement effort, which included dozens of partners, he said.

• Malhotra's criticism of the training center focused on the process, he said. "The issue around the training center was a democracy issue. Being pro-democracy doesn't make you anti–public safety."

The other side: Overstreet campaign consultant Fred Hicks told Axios he registered the site but neither he nor Overstreet created its content.

• He called the coalition's claims "reprehensible" and said accusing two Black people of racism was out of bounds. He said he has secured counsel and would consider legal action.
• Hicks said he intends to transfer ownership of the website, calling the uproar over its content a "distraction."

What's next: The Atlanta Press Club's City Council president debate will be available online on Oct. 10.

• Early voting starts Oct. 14. Election Day is Nov. 4.