Bottoms Up!

A historic moment unfolded in Georgia as Keisha Lance Bottoms emerged victorious, becoming the state's first Democratic governor in over two decades and the U.S.'s first Black female governor. The former mayor of Atlanta and a former advisor in the Biden White House secured a significant win over billionaire Republican businessman Rick Jackson, garnering nearly nine points more votes. This victory followed Kemp's term-limited gubernatorial term, which saw him face off against Democrat Stacey Abrams in 2018 and 2022.

Georgia, which had finally turned blue in the 2020 presidential election and then reverted back in 2022, witnessed the election of Lance Bottoms alongside several other Black female Democrats to key statewide positions, including secretary of state and attorney general. This monumental victory is not only significant from a representation standpoint but also from a Black political power perspective, as emphasized by my colleague Garrison Hayes on the "Stress Test" election night show: "This is huge from a Black political power perspective, especially in Georgia."

As governor, Lance Bottoms will wield the power to veto congressional maps that the Georgia GOP has been contemplating. Governor Kemp recently announced on Wednesday that he would not be convening a special session of the Georgia General Assembly to limit executive branch powers or discuss redistricting changes. "The voters of our state have spoken," Kemp stated in his statement.

Lance Bottoms' campaign focused on key issues such as reducing housing and healthcare costs, expanding Medicaid, investing in education, and safeguarding reproductive rights. In her victory speech, she declared, "This campaign was about every community in every corner of Georgia. This win is for all of us."