Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is suing Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms because of the mask mandates she enforced. Now, two judges have recused themselves from the legal battle. Deets inside…

As if the nation isn’t already going through enough right now,  Republican Governor Brian Kemp is stirring up more drama in the state of Georgia.

As Coronavirus cases in Georgia surge, Gov. Kemp is busy filing a lawsuit against Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) and City Council members to block the city’s mask requirement amid the Coronavirus pandemic. Georgia Governor said he would stand down as the mayor’s “disastrous policies threaten the lives and livelihood of our citizens.”

Don’t forget your mask if you have to leave the house today! It’s a small act that goes a long way to fight #COVID19 and keep your neighbors safe. #ATLStrong pic.twitter.com/5dowGZXcZj

— City of Atlanta, GA (@CityofAtlanta) July 21, 2020

Gov. Kemp is asking the judge to suspend the Mayor Bottom’s executive orders and to stop her from “issuing press releases, or making statements to the press, that she has the authority to impose more or less restrictive measures” than him.

The mask mandate bans gatherings of more than 10 people on city property and requires people to wear masks in Atlanta.

Mayor Bottoms – who recently revealed she tested positive for Coronavirus – is more than ready to duke it out with the Governor in court. She hopped on Twitter and accused Gov. Kemp of playing politics since she’s the only Mayor being sued for mask mandates when other Georgia municipalities have adopted the same mask requirements, including Savannah, Athens and Augusta.

In addition to being sued over a mask mandate and voluntary advisory guidelines on COVID-19, @GovKemp has asked for an emergency injunction to “restrain” me from issuing press statements and speaking to the press. Far more have sacrificed too much more for me to be silent. pic.twitter.com/gWlnZlCtoR

— Keisha Lance Bottoms (@KeishaBottoms) July 19, 2020

In an interview with the “TODAY” show, Mayor Bottoms said Gov. Kemp “overstepped his bounds” by challenging her and said, “We’ll see him in court!” Peep the clip below:

“At the end of the day, this is about saving lives.”
- Mayor @KeishaBottoms speaking with @TODAYshow pic.twitter.com/JIe6nOZEty

— Michael Smith (@MSmithATL) July 17, 2020

Now, two Fulton County Superior Court judges have recused themselves from the legal battle.

According to the AJC, Judge Kelly Ellerbe was supposed to hold the first hearing in the matter, but the proceeding was canceled less that two hours before it was scheduled to start. It’s said Judge Ellerbe voluntarily recused herself from the case. Hmph. Deputy Georgia Attorney General Julie Jacobs sent Judge Ellerbe an email, requesting she recused herself from the case.

“After consultation with our client, the State would respectfully request that you recuse yourself from this matter,” Julie Jacobs wrote in the email. “This particular case has drawn significant attention at the state and national level, and therefore, we believe for all parties concerned, that even any potential perception of impropriety could be problematic.”

The AG’s office confirmed what we heard on background: The judge discussed a prior opinion with an appellate court judge that could have bearing on the lawsuit, and soon after disclosing recused herself. #gapol pic.twitter.com/kimaoPRCOQ

— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) July 21, 2020

The case was then reassigned to Judge Shawn Ellen LaGrua, who also voluntarily recused herself. In her order, she noted she worked as an inspector general for Gov. Kemp when he served as Georgia’s Secretary of State. She added that she “has been and remains under consideration for gubernatorial appointments” by Gov. Kemp.

Another judge has been appointed to the case. Judge Jane C. Barwick is now presiding over the case and will have to reschedule the hearing for another date.

The Georgia Municipal Association also filed court papers, opposing Gov. Kemp’s lawsuit.

The Georgia Municipal Association filed a brief today opposing @GovKemp’s lawsuit against the city of Atlanta’s coronavirus restrictions, saying the governor “has attempted to usurp local control and Home Rule authority ...” #gapol pic.twitter.com/qJ2QaXQkry

— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) July 21, 2020

So, to put everything in a nutshell, Gov. Kemp is ONLY suing Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (a black woman) because of her mask mandate, but he’s NOT suing Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz (a white man), who has a mask mandate in his city. Heaven forbid a black woman exerts her constitutional power to lead her constituents who elected her to do so.

Savannah Mayor Van R. Johnson and Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis Jr. are black men, so we wouldn’t be surprised if a lawsuit ends up on their desks soon.

Make it all make sense!

Photos: Michael A Walker Jr/Shutterstock.com/Getty