“Keisha! Keisha! Keisha!”
About 100 Keisha Lance Bottoms supporters waited at College Square in downtown Athens Monday afternoon to hear from the gubernatorial democrat candidate on the eve of Election Day.
Bottoms made stops in Dalton, Crawfordville, Athens and Augusta Monday as part of a statewide blitz across the state of Georgia. Athens was her third stop. A mix of University of Georgia students, fellow democratic candidates and other Athens supporters stood with signs and rallied behind the former Atlanta mayor.
Bottoms has been in Athens multiple times this fall. She campaigned with US Senate candidate Jon Ossoff at the Georgia Theatre in September and was at a tailgate hosted by the Young Democrats of UGA on October 3.
“I was reminded that my grandfather’s father was born in Athens and my husband went to the University of Georgia,” Bottoms said Monday, as the group of students behind her began to bark. “So, just know I got a lot of love for y’all dawgs.”
After talking about her platforms of raising the wages of teachers and improving healthcare across the state, Bottoms made her final pitch for governor.
“Don’t look for perfection, but think about who best aligns with what you want to see for the future of your community, your family,” Bottoms said. “It’s about getting the work done. We are running through the tape, talking to people about the issues that matter most.”
Much of Bottoms’ rally was geared towards talking to the young voters, including University of Georgia students. With the polls closing in just over 24 hours, Bottoms and Republican candidate Rick Jackson are effectively tied in the early results.
Bottoms hopes the young voters can be a difference.
“We’re not going to be able to win without them,” Bottoms said. “I’m glad that they are engaged. I say that we’ve gone through the cycles of grief almost since the presidential election. People are feeling as if their votes don’t matter, but when our young people show up, it gives me hope.”
One of the young attendees was 11-year-old Shamari Midburgs. He was invited up on stage with Bottoms after showing excitement for what she was saying.
“It was good,” Midburgs said. “I can’t wait to be on the news.”
Another group of young people in attendance sat from their windowsill on the second floor of one of the buildings in the plaza. Two of the college-aged boys yelled in agreement when Bottoms riled up the crowd.
“Hey there, have y’all voted?” asked Bottoms.
“Oh yeah,” the boys responded.
“Did you vote for me?," she asked, "Alright!”
Former State Senator Jason Carter and Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz also spoke during the rally as they encouraged people to vote tomorrow and vote for Bottoms and other democratic candidates on the ballot.
Polls open in Athens and across the state at 7 a.m. Tuesday and Bottoms is hopeful that Athenians will continue to campaign all the way through the polls closing.
“We don’t want to get to the 1-yard line and fumble the ball,” Bottoms said. “We have done great with early voting turnout, but we have to run through the tape tomorrow.”
