In a historic shift for American politics, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has been elected as the next governor of Georgia. This landmark victory makes Bottoms the first Black woman in the history of the United States to serve as a state governor. Defeating Republican candidate Rick Jackson by a substantial margin, Bottoms is set to succeed the outgoing Governor Brian Kemp, who has led the state since 2019.
A Surprising Election Night Reveal
Despite the magnitude of the results, the governor-elect was not glued to the television as the projections began to roll in. Speaking about the night the race was called, Bottoms noted that she was actually attempting to block out the noise to prepare her remarks. While the rest of the country watched the returns, she was focused on her upcoming address to her supporters.
Bottoms shared that she was wearing noise-canceling headphones when the news finally reached her. "I had put in my AirPods to work on my speech, and my husband was on the sofa near me, laying near me, and he kicked me," Bottoms recalled. After her husband alerted her that the race had been called by news outlets, her son, Langston, joined the celebration by running into the room to embrace her.
The race was called relatively early in the evening. While polls in Georgia closed at 7 p.m. ET, projections for the gubernatorial race were made by 9:30 p.m. This followed the quick projection for incumbent Senator Jon Ossoff, who also won his respective race shortly after the polls closed.
Breaking Down the Georgia Election Results
The margin of victory for the Democratic candidate was wider than many political analysts—and even the candidate herself—had anticipated. With 99% of the precincts reporting by Wednesday morning, Bottoms held a lead of approximately 360,000 votes over Rick Jackson.
Bottoms admitted that she expected a much tighter contest given Georgia's recent history as a competitive "purple" state. She noted that while her team had put in the necessary work, she was prepared for a long night of waiting for results that never materialized because the lead was so decisive.
Priorities for the New Administration
When Bottoms takes the oath of office in January, she will move from the mayor's office to the state capitol with a specific set of legislative goals. Her platform focuses heavily on the economic pressures facing Georgia families and the state's educational infrastructure.
Key pillars of her upcoming first budget include:
* Cost of Living: Addressing rising expenses for residents across the state.
* Grocery Tax: Empowering local municipalities to either suspend or completely eliminate the tax on groceries.
* Medicaid Expansion: Increasing access to healthcare for Georgians through the expansion of the Medicaid program.
* Education Funding: Ensuring that pre-K programs and the broader education system are fully funded.
"I want to allow local governments to suspend or end our grocery tax and also expanding Medicaid and fully funding pre-K in Georgia," Bottoms stated regarding her immediate legislative priorities.
A Milestone for Women in Leadership
The election of Keisha Lance Bottoms is not just a milestone for Georgia, but for the nation. She will become the first female governor in Georgia's history and will join a record-breaking cohort of female executives across the country.
Currently, there are 17 women serving as governors in the United States, a new high-water mark for gender representation in state leadership. Bottoms referenced a sentiment shared by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, noting that historically, there have been more governors named "John" than there have been women in the role. Bottoms expressed her gratitude for joining what she described as an incredibly strong group of current leaders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the first Black female governor in the United States?
Keisha Lance Bottoms is the first Black woman to be elected to the office of governor in U.S. history following her victory in the Georgia gubernatorial race.
What was the margin of victory in the Keisha Lance Bottoms vs. Rick Jackson race?
With 99% of the votes counted, Bottoms led Republican candidate Rick Jackson by approximately 360,000 votes.
When does the new Georgia governor take office?
Keisha Lance Bottoms is scheduled to be inaugurated and take over the Georgia governor's office in January.