Nationwide — Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, has made history by becoming the first Black woman ever elected governor of a U.S. state. The 56-year-old Democrat defeated Republican billionaire Rick Jackson in Georgia’s November 3, 2026, gubernatorial election. Her victory also makes her the first woman and first Black person elected governor in Georgia’s history, breaking multiple political barriers in one of the nation’s most closely watched elections.
Her historic win ends 24 years of Republican control of Georgia’s governor’s office, which Democrats had not won since 1998. She will succeed outgoing Republican Governor Brian Kemp, who was unable to seek another consecutive term. Her election represents a significant political shift in Georgia, a state that has become increasingly competitive in national elections but has remained largely Republican at the state government level.
Before running for governor, Bottoms served as Atlanta’s 60th mayor from 2018 to 2022, becoming one of the city’s most prominent political leaders. During her administration, she navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, nationwide protests over racial injustice, and challenges involving public safety. After leaving office, she joined President Joe Biden’s administration, serving as director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and later as a senior adviser. Her experience in local and national government became a central part of her gubernatorial campaign.
Throughout the race, Bottoms focused on making life more affordable for Georgia families, expanding access to healthcare, and creating greater economic opportunities. Her campaign proposals included expanding Medicaid, reducing grocery taxes, improving access to affordable housing, and eliminating state income taxes for public school teachers. She also received support from prominent Democratic leaders, including former President Barack Obama, who campaigned for her, and U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, who appeared alongside her at several campaign events.
Her opponent, Rick Jackson, a wealthy healthcare executive and political newcomer, invested more than $100 million of his personal fortune into his campaign. Jackson emphasized tax cuts, public safety, and his business experience while criticizing Bottoms’ record as Atlanta mayor. Despite being significantly outspent, Bottoms secured the victory with a campaign that emphasized economic concerns and drew attention to Jackson’s connections to President Donald Trump. Her election also follows years of political organizing in Georgia, including the groundbreaking gubernatorial campaigns of Stacey Abrams in 2018 and 2022.
Bottoms’ election marks a milestone for Black women in American politics, where they have historically been underrepresented in governors’ offices despite their longstanding contributions to political leadership and civic engagement. Her victory comes eight years after Abrams became the first Black woman nominated for governor by a major U.S. political party. As Bottoms prepares to lead Georgia, she will carry the distinction of being the nation’s first Black female state governor, opening a new chapter in American political history and establishing a precedent for future generations of Black women seeking the country’s highest elected offices.