Keisha Lance Bottoms Wins in Georgia to Become First Black Woman Governor in US History

Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms has defeated Republican candidate Rick Jackson in the election for governor of the U.S. state of Georgia, becoming the first Black woman elected governor of any state in American history. The Associated Press reported the result on Wednesday (4 November).

Bottoms, a former mayor of Atlanta and an adviser to former President Joe Biden, also becomes the first woman and the first Black person elected governor in Georgia's history.

It is the first time since 1998 that Democrats have won a governor's election in the southeastern state, a historic milestone for the party.

Bottoms defeated Jackson, a billionaire and top healthcare executive, in a fiercely contested race to succeed outgoing Republican Governor Brian Kemp, whose term is ending. Jackson was reported to have spent more than $200 million of his own money on his campaign.

The result comes two years after Donald Trump won Georgia in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

Keisha Lance Bottoms, who served as mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022, put expanding the Medicaid programme, ensuring affordable housing and opposing various Trump administration policies at the centre of her campaign agenda.

Reports said support from the state's Black voters played an important role in Bottoms' victory. Significant turnout from that community was also seen during early voting.

Bottoms nevertheless faced harsh criticism during the campaign. Opponents campaigned on claims that crime and mismanagement had risen in Atlanta during her time as mayor. In an interview with the Associated Press, Bottoms said portraying Atlanta as a bad and chaotic city was a long-standing political tactic.

Georgia Democrats had previously nominated Stacey Abrams for governor in both 2018 and 2022. She lost to Brian Kemp in both elections.

After serving eight years, Kemp will leave the governor's office in January as his term ends. Keisha Lance Bottoms will succeed him.