Keisha Lance Bottoms has been elected governor of Georgia, becoming the first Black woman to win a governorship in United States history and delivering a landmark victory for Democrats in the key swing state.
The Associated Press called the race for the former Atlanta mayor on Tuesday night, November 3, after she defeated Republican businessman Rick Jackson.
Bottoms will become the first Democrat to hold Georgia’s governorship since 1998, ending a 24-year run of Republican control. She will succeed Governor Brian Kemp, who was barred from seeking a third consecutive term.
Jackson, a healthcare executive who spent more than $200 million of his own money on the campaign, conceded the contest and said voters’ decision should be respected.
Bottoms campaigned on expanding healthcare access, raising Georgia’s minimum wage to $15 an hour and increasing pay for teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public employees.
She also called for a pause on new data-centre developments, changes to the state’s abortion law and action to counter policies pursued by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Her victory marks a significant shift in a state that has become increasingly competitive at national level. Democrats also secured the Senate race, with Jon Ossoff winning re-election against Republican congressman Mike Collins.
Bottoms’ election adds Georgia to a series of Democratic gains in the 2026 midterms, as the party seeks to challenge Republican control in Washington and across several closely fought states.
