Kemp Withdraws Request for Emergency Hearing in Lawsuit to Block Atlanta Mayor From Mandating Masks

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) is withdrawing his request for an emergency hearing in a lawsuit aimed at blocking Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ (D) mask mandate amid the 🦠Coronavirus Outbreak.

Kemp’s spokesperson Cody Hall released a statement to The Hill on Monday confirming the withdrawal while explaining the reason for it. He noted that the governor appreciated Bottoms’ recent decision to revise her mandate to a voluntary basis.

While Kemp’s office has clarified that the lawsuit has not been withdrawn, it has been noted that postponing the hearing for another date would be a better means of “productive, good-faith negotiations with city officials.”

“Given the threat of economic harm and immediate backlash from Atlanta’s business community, this overreach by the Mayor was our top concern and the primary reason behind the litigation,” Hall said. “Now, Mayor Bottoms has taken several opportunities to publicly explain that the Phase One rollback is purely voluntary, and we appreciate this concession.”

Kemp’s latest decision to withdraw from the hearing follows his lawsuit meant to prohibit mayors from issuing face mask mandates in their city. The Republican governor raised questions after suing Bottoms due to multiple factors.