Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has secured victory in the Democratic primary for Georgia governor, positioning herself for a historic bid to become the first Black woman elected governor in the United States.
If successful in the November general election, Bottoms would also become the first woman and first African American to serve as governor of Georgia.
Bottoms, who served as Atlanta mayor from 2018 to 2022, emerged victorious in a crowded Democratic field.
On the Republican side, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and healthcare executive Rick Jackson advanced to a runoff election scheduled for June 16 to determine the party’s nominee.
The race to replace term-limited Republican Governor Brian Kemp is expected to become one of the closely watched contests of the election cycle, as both parties test Georgia’s position as a competitive swing state.
Georgia narrowly supported former President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election before returning to Republican control in the following election cycle under President Donald Trump.
Bottoms’ emergence also marks the third consecutive time a Black woman has represented the Democratic Party in Georgia’s governorship race. Stacey Abrams previously contested the office in 2018 and 2022 but lost both elections to Kemp.
During her time as Atlanta mayor, Bottoms led the city through the COVID-19 pandemic, growing concerns over violent crime, and nationwide protests surrounding policing and racial justice.
She later joined the Biden administration as director of the White House Office of Public Engagement after being considered among potential vice-presidential running mates in 2020.
Biden endorsed her gubernatorial campaign, describing her as “battle-tested” and prepared to lead Georgia.
Her campaign has focused heavily on expanding Medicaid access and increasing investment in education across the state.
