Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has officially announced her candidacy for governor of Georgia in 2026. If elected, Bottoms would make history as Georgia’s first Black governor and the first Democrat to hold the office in over two decades, Politico reported.
Bottoms, who rose to national prominence during her time as mayor and later served as a Senior Adviser to President Biden, is entering a wide-open race to succeed Republican Governor Brian Kemp, who is term-limited. Her campaign launches as Democrats assess how to regain ground in a state where they saw major victories in 2020 but losses in 2024.
In her campaign video and interviews, Bottoms cited the reelection of Donald Trump and the economic instability stemming from his tariff policies as key motivators for her run.
“November was a turning point for me,” she told Politico, referencing the 2024 election. “People across Georgia want leadership that will fight against the chaos and work toward stability.”
Her campaign platform includes eliminating state income taxes for teachers, expanding Medicaid, and bolstering small business growth, setting her apart from her Republican rivals, including Attorney General Chris Carr and potentially Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, 11Alive reported.
While Bottoms brings high name recognition and deep ties in metro Atlanta, many experts say she’ll face scrutiny over her decision to not seek a second term as mayor. She has however defended that choice by calling it “a sane and rational decision” made for her family.
Bottoms’ mayoral tenure was marked by a number of crises, including the covid-19 pandemic, civil unrest following the police killing of Rayshard Brooks, and navigating political clashes with both Trump and Governor Kemp.
State Senator Jason Esteves and Atlanta-area pastor Olu Brown have already declared their campaigns. Former U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath has paused her exploratory campaign but may still enter.
“This is a moment for Georgia,” Bottoms said. “We’ve seen what’s possible, and now it’s time to fight for what’s next.”
