Keisha Lance Bottoms has reportedly declined an ambassadorship from Joe Biden in what some saw as a snub to the Atlanta mayor who has been one of the president-elect’s most loyal supporters over the course of his election campaign.

Charles Bethea, a reporter with the New Yorker, on Friday tweeted the report he attributed to “sources,” setting off a firestorm of emotion over an already hotly debated conversation regarding Biden and his senior leadership picks.

Bottoms’ spokesperson has not commented on the report and a request for comment from the Biden transition team was not immediately returned.

Over the summer it was revealed that Bottoms was one of the contenders for Biden’s running mate. That role was filled by Sen. Kamala Harris, who is now the Vice President-elect. In August, after she was passed over for the role, she continued her support by stumping for Biden at the Democratic National Convention where she delivered a stirring speech on the legacy of civil rights leaders in America.

When the Biden-Harris ticket won the presidential election, it was believed that Bottoms would likely be considered to lead Housing and Urban Development or the Small Business Administration.

Bottoms was seen a smart choice to oversee HUD due to her efforts in reforming public housing locally. In Atlanta, Bottoms made public housing a policy priority, proposing a $1 billon initiative to improve housing across the metropolitan area, according to The New York Times. She also serves as the Chair of the Community Development and Housing Committee for the United States Conference of Mayors.

However Rep. Marcia Fudge was announced as Biden’s pick for HUD this week. While Biden’s SBA choice has yet to be announced, the central focus states Bottoms was overlooked. Others believe Bottoms should have taken the role if the reports are true. An ambassadorship provides an opportunity to strengthen diplomacy, while also benefitting the individual’s political career with global visibility.

A last argument remained  that Bottoms wasn’t considered a contender in Biden’s cabinet because he’s ensuring Harris has a leg up to claim his seat after he is done with his term. Biden’s age is a concern for those who believe he may be faced with health challenges if he decides to run for a second term.

Bottoms has backed Democratic leadership in Atlanta by openly voicing support for COVID-19 measures similar to nation-wide practices that the Biden-Harris campaign plans to enforce once Biden takes office. The Atlanta mayor also works to voice her discontent with claims of voter suppression, as an important Jan. 5 Senate runoff in her home state stands to change the tide of Congress.

We’ll have to see if her story ends here or if there is another option at play.

SEE ALSO:

Keisha Lance Bottoms Pays Tribute To ‘Civil Rights Icons’ In Moving DNC Speech

Racist Sends N-Word Text To Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms For Opposing Reopening Of Georgia

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