Keisha Lance Bottoms Wins Georgia Governor Race, Makes U.S. History
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms defeats Rick Jackson to become Georgia's first female governor and the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history.
ATLANTA, Ga. — Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, has won the race to become Georgia’s next governor, defeating Republican businessman Rick Jackson in Tuesday’s November 3, 2026, general election, according to the Associated Press.
The result makes Bottoms the first woman elected governor in Georgia and the first Black woman elected governor in United States history. It also returns the Georgia governor’s office to Democratic control for the first time since 1998, ending more than two decades of Republican victories for the office.
From Atlanta City Hall to the Governor’s Mansion
Bottoms served as Atlanta mayor from 2018 to January 2022 and later held senior roles in President Joe Biden’s White House. Her political experience and record in city government were central themes during the campaign, with her supporters emphasizing executive experience and Jackson criticizing her handling of public safety and unrest in Atlanta.
Jackson, a healthcare staffing entrepreneur who had not previously held elected office, ran on tax relief, public safety, economic growth and a deregulatory approach to business. The campaign drew significant national attention and heavy spending.
What Bottoms campaigned on
Bottoms proposed expanding Medicaid coverage, increasing the minimum wage, raising compensation for state employees and changing Georgia’s approach to abortion law and data center development. Those campaign proposals are not enacted policies. Their fate will depend on legislative negotiations and the balance of power in the General Assembly.
Republican Gov. Brian Kemp was ineligible to seek a third consecutive term. Bottoms is expected to take office following the end of his second term, subject to the standard official election certification and transition process.
Why this election matters for Georgia
The victory marks a statewide political shift in a state where Republican candidates have won the governorship since the 2002 election. It also represents a national milestone for representation in executive office. While voters have elected Black women to other statewide positions, no Black woman had previously won a U.S. governor’s race.
For residents and businesses, the coming administration could influence healthcare access, state labor rules, taxation, development oversight and the state budget. Legislative control will determine how much of the incoming governor’s agenda can advance.
Results note: This article reports the Associated Press race call on election night. It does not present an unofficial percentage as a final certified margin. Follow the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s live Georgia governor results for updated totals.