Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms officially kicked off her campaign for Governor of Georgia on Tuesday, marking her entry into the Democratic primary as one of the most recognized figures in the race.
In her launch video titled “For Georgia,” Bottoms honors her grandmother, who instilled in her family the importance of standing up to bullies. She criticized President Trump, referring to his presidency as a “disaster,” and indirectly targeted his senior adviser Elon Musk by mentioning how Trump empowers wealthy elites to undermine Medicare and Social Security.
Bottoms committed to prioritizing Medicaid and proposed eliminating state income taxes for teachers. She also highlighted her record as Atlanta’s mayor, where she increased pay for police officers and firefighters.
Additionally, she noted that her departure from the President’s Export Council was a result of Trump firing her at the beginning of his second term, although she resigned from that position herself.
Having served as Atlanta’s mayor from 2018 to 2022, Bottoms described the 2024 election as a pivotal moment for her in a recent interview, stating, “I didn’t vote for him, but I certainly wanted the term to be different.”
Her candidacy emerges at a time when Democrats are regrouping following significant losses in the previous elections.
When discussing future strategies, Bottoms emphasized the need for the Democratic Party to actively listen to constituents, acknowledging that, while reproductive freedom is important, economic issues like food security and housing are often top of mind for many voters. “People care about the economy. They want to afford rent and buy a house,” she added.
Bottoms had previously been a contender for President Biden’s vice presidential spot in 2020. Last month, she confirmed her intention to run for governor, joining Georgia Senators Jason Estevez and Rev. Orle Brown in the Democratic primary. Meanwhile, Rep. Lucy McBath recently announced she would suspend her exploratory bid due to her husband’s health struggles.
On the Republican side, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has entered the primary race, alongside potential candidates like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia Lt. Colonel Burt Jones, and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
If elected, Bottoms would become the first Democrat to occupy the governor’s mansion since 2003 and could also be the first Black woman to hold that position. Virginia Lt. Governor Winsome Sears is the GOP candidate in the upcoming 2025 election.
The current governor, Brian Kemp, a Republican, is completing his term during a period when Georgia has become a contentious battleground in political races. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has categorized the governor and Senate races in the state as “toss-up.” While Biden won Georgia in the 2020 presidential election, Trump regained it in the last November’s elections.
