Advanced to runoff Eliminated in general election Ahead of the November 4 election, incumbent Campbell and challenger Arrington exchanged attacks, including personal attacks.

[2] Former mayor Maynard Jackson, a supporter of Campbell, likened White Republicans, who largely supported Arrington in the election, to "Lester Maddox types", and argued that, if Arrington were elected, it would reverse civil rights progress that the city had made.

[2] Days later, Arrington attacked Jackson, accusing him of not participating in the civil rights movement, and argued that he had instead been "in Cleveland, passing", which was widely interpreted as meaning that the light skinned Jackson was "passing" as White.

"[2] Campbell distributed materials by mail which argued that the, mayor's race "is now a civil rights issue", warning that, "if the ultraconservatives control City Hall we will lose the gains achieved during the last 25 years.

[3] Other campaign issues included crime and the safety of the city's water system.