Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announces campaign to run for Georgia governor

Written by: E. George

Published May 27, 2025 @ 1:35 PM ET

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has formally launched her campaign for governor of Georgia, positioning herself as a unifying figure in a sharply divided political climate and entering a growing field of contenders ahead of the 2026 election.

Bottoms, a fifth-generation Georgian and former senior adviser to President Joe Biden, announced her candidacy Tuesday, framing her bid as a fight for stability, equity, and progress for all residents of the state. Her entry into the race adds momentum to the Democratic field, which already includes State Senator Jason Esteves and former pastor Olu Brown. Republican Attorney General Chris Carr is currently the only declared candidate from the GOP, though other prominent Republicans are expected to join the contest.

If successful, Bottoms would become both the first woman and the first Black governor in Georgia’s history, marking a significant milestone in the state’s political evolution.

A former judge and city council member, Bottoms was elected mayor of Atlanta in 2017, leading the city through a tumultuous period marked by a global pandemic, nationwide protests for racial justice, and a cyberattack that incapacitated municipal systems. Her administration prioritized police pay raises, affordable housing, and fiscal stability, leaving office with balanced budgets and a significant budget surplus.

Bottoms chose not to seek re-election in 2021, instead joining the Biden administration, where she focused on public engagement and national policy matters. That federal experience, combined with her local governance background, is now central to her pitch to voters seeking pragmatic leadership beyond partisan lines.

Her campaign platform outlines a series of ambitious policy goals, including expanding Medicaid coverage to hundreds of thousands of uninsured Georgians, increasing support for small businesses, and offering targeted tax relief for educators. She has emphasized her desire to work across political divides, framing the campaign as a response to what she characterizes as deep dysfunction and political gridlock at the federal level.

Bottoms’ relationship with outgoing Republican Governor Brian Kemp was marked by public disagreements, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she has also pointed to instances of bipartisan collaboration during her time in office, underlining her ability to find common ground with political opponents.

The 2026 gubernatorial election is already drawing significant attention, with Kemp unable to seek another term due to term limits. Other high-profile Republicans, such as Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Lt. Governor Burt Jones, are rumored to be weighing bids. On the Democratic side, speculation continues around whether Stacey Abrams, the party’s 2018 and 2022 nominee, will mount a third campaign.

As the race takes shape, Bottoms is expected to leverage both her local and national profiles to galvanize support across Georgia’s urban centers and rural communities. Her candidacy signals a potentially transformative moment for the state, which has become increasingly competitive in recent election cycles.

The campaign trail promises a vigorous debate over Georgia’s future, with Bottoms casting herself as a seasoned leader ready to confront the challenges ahead.