Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms has made history as the first woman and first Black woman to be elected governor of Georgia. She is also the first Black female in U.S. history to be elected governor. The former Atlanta mayor defeated billionaire businessman Rick Jackson 55% to 45%. She becomes the first Democrat to lead the state since 1998 when Attorney Roy Barnes was elected. Bottoms succeeds Republican Governor Brian Kemp who is finishing his second term.
During her campaign, Bottoms called for Medicaid expansion and increasing the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour. She also supported increasing salaries for public employees, including firefighters, police officers, teachers, and others.
According to her campaign website, she was the first Mayor in Atlanta’s history to serve in all three branches of government, with prior stints as a judge and city councilmember. Bottoms also served in the Biden Administration.
Incumbent U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff won his bid for a second term against challenger Mike Collins. The 39-year-old Ossoff was the only Democrat in the Senate running for reelection. had been targeted by Republicans. The Senator frequently disagreed with President Donald Trump. Collins, a strong MAGA Republican, is currently the 10th district U.S. Congressman representing Athens, Eatonton, Jackson, Monroe, Washington, Watkinsville, and Winder.
