News Summary
Keisha Lance Bottoms, former mayor of Atlanta, has declared her candidacy for the 2026 Georgia gubernatorial race. She aims to be the first Black female governor in U.S. history, focusing on transformative leadership for Georgia. With a record as mayor and experience in President Biden’s administration, Bottoms’ campaign seeks to expand Medicaid and support small businesses. The race is deemed pivotal for the Democratic Party in Georgia, marking a significant moment in the state’s political landscape.
Atlanta – Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, has officially announced her candidacy for the 2026 Georgia gubernatorial race, aspiring to become the first Black female governor in U.S. history. Bottoms made her announcement following several hints about her intentions to run, making it clear that she seeks to bring transformative leadership to a state she argues is currently lacking direction.
Bottoms’ campaign marks a significant opportunity for Democrats in Georgia, a state that has been historically challenging for the party. If successful in her bid, she would also be the first Democrat to win the governorship in Georgia since 1998. Currently, Bottoms is one of only two declared Democratic candidates, alongside state Sen. Jason Esteves. On the Republican side, only Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has declared his candidacy.
During her tenure as mayor from 2018 to 2022, Bottoms faced a variety of critical challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, which required swift public health responses and economic strategies. Additionally, she was involved in a federal investigation concerning corruption within the previous administration. Notably, she established Atlanta’s inaugural Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to tackle systemic disparities, signed significant legislation to reform the criminal justice system by eliminating cash bond requirements for minor offenses, and managed the logistics for hosting the Super Bowl in 2019. Her leadership earned her recognition as Georgia Trend’s 2020 Georgian of the Year.
Bottoms’ time in office was not without controversy. Her administration witnessed the tumultuous protests following the police shooting of Rayshard Brooks, which contributed to a rise in violent crime in Atlanta. Following her presidency, she served as a senior advisor in President Biden’s administration, focusing on voter protection initiatives.
In her campaign for governor, Bottoms has outlined several key policy priorities. They include expanding Medicaid access, revising the state income tax specifically for teachers, and championing support for small businesses across Georgia. Although her political base is rooted in metro Atlanta, she expresses confidence in her appeal to a wider voter base, showcasing what she describes as her proven record of governance and responsiveness to constituents’ needs.
Despite past disagreements with current Governor Brian Kemp—particularly regarding COVID-19 restrictions—Bottoms indicates that their relationship has improved, referencing an ability to cooperate to foster effective governance in the state. The upcoming gubernatorial race is seen as pivotal in gauging Democratic momentum in Georgia, a crucial swing state in national electoral politics.
While the Democratic field is currently limited, potential candidates are expected to emerge as the election approaches. On the Republican side, expected challengers include Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, suggesting a competitive race ahead. As both major parties gear up for the 2026 election, the stakes for Georgia’s political landscape remain high.
Keisha Lance Bottoms’ candidacy not only reflects her personal journey but also signifies a possible shift in the political dynamics of Georgia as Democrats seek to regain ground. With her campaign officially underway, all eyes will be on how her platform resonates with voters across the state and whether she can indeed make history as Georgia’s first Black female governor.
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HERE Resources
Keisha Lance Bottoms Announces Bid for Governor of Georgia
Keisha Lance Bottoms Considers Run for Georgia Governor
Keisha Lance Bottoms Considers Gubernatorial Run in Georgia
Additional Resources
- AJC: Bottoms Enters Race for Georgia Governor
- Politico: Keisha Lance Bottoms for Georgia Governor
- 11Alive: Bottoms Running for Governor
- The Atlanta Voice: Bottoms’ Governor Announcement
- Washington Post: Bottoms’ Georgia Governor Race
- Wikipedia: Keisha Lance Bottoms
- Google Search: Keisha Lance Bottoms
- Google Scholar: Keisha Lance Bottoms
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Keisha Lance Bottoms
- Google News: Keisha Lance Bottoms
