Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is back in the political arena, and she’s coming for Georgia’s top seat.
This week, Bottoms officially announced her campaign for Governor of Georgia, throwing her name into the 2026 race with a clear message: she’s battle-tested and ready to deliver.
“As we are facing the uncertainty and the anxiety that’s being created in Washington right now, I’m running to be a fighter for Georgia,” Bottoms told the Associated Press.
Bottoms, 55, is no stranger to navigating tough terrain. Her single term as Atlanta’s mayor was marked by major challenges: a global pandemic, economic strain, protests, and a national reckoning on race and policing. But through it all, she remained steady, and she says that’s exactly the kind of leadership Georgia needs right now.
“I want to be able to fight and deliver for our communities,” she said. “Whether it’s expanding Medicaid, supporting small businesses, or making sure people have a pathway to vocational training or college.”
I was raised to stand up to bullies and to fight for what is right. We deserve better than what Donald Trump and Republicans are giving us. I’ll never be afraid to battle for the people of Georgia. https://t.co/vxeIdkx4RH#keishaforgovernor pic.twitter.com/ltgZGSW1fB
— Keisha Lance Bottoms (@KeishaBottoms) May 20, 2025
Before becoming mayor, Bottoms served as a magistrate judge and spent years on the Atlanta City Council, where she built her reputation as a thoughtful, pragmatic leader. In 2017, she narrowly won the mayoral race, endorsed by outgoing Mayor Kasim Reed, and became just the second Black woman to lead the city.
Though she made headlines in 2021 when she decided not to seek a second term, Bottoms insists it wasn’t about losing passion for the job.
“Not having the energy to do the job—that was not the case,” she said. “In fact, I ran through the tape.”
After stepping down, she took her talents to Washington, joining the Biden administration as director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, becoming a trusted voice on national issues and a bridge between the Oval Office and grassroots communities.
And yes, she’s well aware of the politics around President Biden’s approval ratings—but she’s unbothered.
“I’m not worried about being associated with President Biden,” Bottoms said confidently.
For voters concerned about crime and public safety, especially after a few turbulent years in Atlanta, Bottoms isn’t shying away from the conversation.
“As mayor, I gave our police and firefighters a historic pay raise,” she noted. “I actually supported the building of the public safety training center in Atlanta that’s servicing people across the region.”
The $118 million training center, a controversial but critical investment, was designed to replace outdated facilities and modernize law enforcement training across the metro area.
Many remember Bottoms most vividly from the summer of 2020, when protests erupted across the country after the murder of George Floyd. As Atlanta faced unrest and public outrage, Bottoms stood firm alongside hip-hop icons Killer Mike and T.I., delivering one of the most talked-about speeches of the year.
“Go home,” she urged protesters. “This is not how we change America.”
The moment went viral, and Bottoms earned national respect for her poise, presence, and honesty in the middle of a crisis.
Bottoms enters the race as one of the most recognizable Democratic figures in Georgia. She joins State Sen. Jason Esteves, who announced his run in April, while other familiar names like Stacey Abrams, Michael Thurmond, and Rev. Olujimi Brown are also being floated or have declared.
On the Republican side, Attorney General Chris Carr is already in the race, with Lt. Gov. Burt Jones expected to announce soon.
But in a state where every election seems to become a national flashpoint, Bottoms brings something special to the table: executive experience, deep community ties, and the ability to inspire across demographics.
She’s not just running to make history, she’s running to make an impact.
Georgia, get ready. Keisha Lance Bottoms has entered the chat.
