Black political machine tested again in Atlanta mayor race

Atlanta voters woke up to deja vu Wednesday in the racially polarized contest to choose the city's next mayor, with one candidate laying claim to City Hall while the other vowed to seek a recount over a margin of just 759 votes.

The Tuesday runoff between Keisha Lance Bottoms, who is black, and Mary Norwood, who is white, split Atlanta practically in half after a vitriolic campaign punctuated by political grudges and allegations of corruption. Unofficial results showed Bottoms leading with 46,464 votes, or 50.41 percent, to Norwood's 45,705 votes, or 49.59 percent.

Election officials say a recount could happen next week if Norwood formally requests one. Results could be certified as soon as Saturday.