COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) — The march from the mayor's office in Atlanta's City Hall to the governor's office in Georgia's Capitol represents a significant journey in the state’s political landscape. Historically, no Atlanta mayor has transitioned to become the state’s governor, but Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms is determined to change that.
After a recent campaign event in Columbus, Bottoms asserted, “I’m going to be the first because I am working to earn people’s votes across the state. So just because it hasn’t happened doesn’t mean that it can’t happen.” She faces competition from six other candidates in the Democratic primary set for May, and if she succeeds, she will contend with Republicans, who are prepared to challenge her record on crime, disorder, and the handling of the COVID pandemic during her tenure as mayor.
Republican strategist Brian Robinson has stated, “She is the easiest to run against,” labeling Bottoms “unelectable.” As Georgia Democrats are buoyed by recent victories in the Public Service Commission elections, they recognize the necessity of a candidate who can appeal to independents and moderate Republicans if they hope to end a 26-year drought in gubernatorial elections.
Democrats had anticipated that President Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory in Georgia would signify a substantial breakthrough for the party. However, Republican Governor Brian Kemp defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams in their 2022 rematch, underscoring the ongoing challenges for the party in the state. Additionally, Donald Trump’s presence in 2024 bolstered Republican turnout in Georgia during his election against Democrat Kamala Harris.
Supporters of Bottoms see the primary as a test of elimination among candidates that embody a range of ideological divides within the Democratic Party, such as suburban versus urban constituencies and progressives versus centrists. Among her competitors are former State Senator Jason Esteves, who has backing from party insiders but lacks statewide recognition; former labor commissioner Michael Thurmond, whose age and fundraising challenges may hinder his campaign; and Geoff Duncan, a recent Republican convert drawing scrutiny for his previous party affiliation.
Bottoms holds several advantages, including her high profile among candidates; her executive experience; and her connection to Biden’s administration, which aids her fundraising efforts. Notably, she is the only Black woman in the Democratic race in a state where Black women represent a vital support base for the party. During the last election cycle, Georgia Democrats nominated five Black women for statewide offices.
At a recent event, attendee Sheana Browning expressed her support for Bottoms, particularly appreciating her commitment to raising state employee salaries. Browning highlighted Bottoms’ background as a Black woman and her experience as a former mayor as key factors influencing her vote.
Despite these advantages, skeptics within the party suggest that Bottoms’ support may be fragile. Doubts linger about the impact of her ties to the Biden administration, and no Black woman has previously been elected governor in any state. As she campaigns, Bottoms seeks to reintroduce herself to voters, sharing her personal story of overcoming adversity, which includes her father’s incarceration for drug dealing and her mother’s hard work to provide for the family.
Bottoms is also emphasizing her accomplishments as mayor, highlighting the city’s financial stability, avoidance of tax increases, and the creation of affordable housing. She proposes initiatives to address affordability, such as eliminating state income taxes for teachers and tackling companies that dominate the rental market in Georgia.
Nevertheless, her previous tenure as mayor poses challenges, particularly related to the tumultuous events of summer 2020 during the Black Lives Matter protests. Bottoms received heightened attention when she spoke against violence and called for peace, yet the aftermath of those protests left a shadow on her record, especially following the tragic shooting of an 8-year-old girl. Critics argue that her handling of these events portrays her as lenient towards protesters at the expense of law enforcement.
In May 2021, Bottoms made history as the first Atlanta mayor since World War II not to seek a second term, after which she served as a senior advisor to Biden. While her competitor Esteves has been vocal about Bottoms' decision not to run again, claiming it demonstrates a lack of commitment during a crisis, she counters that her political strength remained robust and she would have secured reelection.
Esteves has earned endorsements from several current Atlanta city officials, who point to public dissatisfaction with crime and city management as reasons to seek a fresh perspective in leadership. In contrast, Bottoms insists that her experience and achievements position her as the right candidate for the governor’s race, stating, “Who I am is a battle-tested leader,” reiterating her capability to confront significant challenges head-on.
