Keisha Lance Bottoms makes history in Georgia as first Black woman to be elected governor

Keisha Lance Bottoms has won Georgia’s governor’s race, becoming the state’s first woman governor and the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history.

The Democrat made history Tuesday, defeating Republican businessman Rick Jackson in Georgia’s gubernatorial election.

The Associated Press projected Bottoms as the winner, giving Democrats control of the governor’s office for the first time since 1998. She will succeed Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who could not seek another term because of term limits.

Bottoms’ victory also breaks a historic barrier in American politics. She becomes Georgia’s first female governor and the first Black woman elected governor in the United States.

Keisha Lance Bottoms makes history in Georgia

The former Atlanta mayor, 56, entered the race with a record in local government and the Biden administration.

She served as Atlanta’s mayor from 2018 to 2022. Before that, she represented southwest Atlanta on the City Council and worked as an attorney and magistrate judge.

After leaving City Hall, Bottoms joined President Joe Biden’s administration. She served as a senior adviser and led the White House Office of Public Engagement.

Her election marks the third consecutive Georgia gubernatorial cycle in which Democrats nominated a Black woman. Stacey Abrams ran unsuccessfully against Kemp in 2018 and 2022.

This time, Bottoms broke through.

Rick Jackson spent heavily on his campaign

Bottoms defeated Jackson, a healthcare executive who invested more than $200 million of his personal fortune in the campaign.

Despite Jackson’s enormous spending advantage, Bottoms secured the victory in a state Republicans have controlled for more than two decades.

According to the Associated Press, Jackson repeatedly criticized Bottoms’ record as Atlanta mayor. He also portrayed her administration as ineffective on public safety.

However, Bottoms focused much of her campaign on healthcare, affordability and economic opportunity.

Her priorities include healthcare and affordability

Bottoms campaigned on expanding Medicaid eligibility and raising Georgia’s minimum wage to $15 an hour.

She also proposed creating more affordable housing and increasing pay for public employees. Additionally, her platform included lowering certain household costs and repealing Georgia’s six-week abortion ban.

Bottoms also called for pausing data center development and limiting the expansion of AI-powered surveillance cameras used by law enforcement, the Associated Press reported.

Her agenda could face challenges in the state legislature. Republicans may retain control of at least one legislative chamber, according to the Associated Press.

That could complicate efforts to advance her proposals.

A historic moment for Black women in politics

Bottoms’ victory carries significance beyond Georgia. No Black woman had previously been elected governor of a U.S. state.

Her win follows years of unsuccessful gubernatorial campaigns by Black women, including Abrams’ two attempts in Georgia.

Bottoms now takes office after a campaign that centered on policy, economic concerns and her experience in government.

Her victory also reflects Georgia’s changing political landscape. The Atlanta metropolitan area has become increasingly influential in statewide elections.

For Bottoms, the result represents both a personal political milestone and a historic moment for the state.

She will take office in January, becoming the first woman to lead Georgia as governor.