Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic primary for governor in Georgia on Tuesday, securing her party’s nomination in one of the nation’s closely watched statewide races.
Bottoms, who served as mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022 and later worked in the Biden administration, avoided a runoff in a crowded Democratic field, according to multiple media projections.
Her victory sets up a general election contest against the eventual Republican nominee in November. The GOP primary was headed to a runoff after no candidate received a majority of the vote.
In remarks to supporters Tuesday night, Bottoms framed the race as a fight over the future of Georgia and pledged to focus on economic opportunity, education, and health care.
Bottoms entered the race with strong name recognition and support from prominent Democrats. She gained national attention during her tenure as Atlanta mayor, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd in 2020. She later served as director of the White House Office of Public Engagement under former President Joe Biden.
Georgia has not elected a Democratic governor in more than two decades, making the race a major target for both parties as the battleground state continues to play a pivotal role in national politics.
Republicans are competing to succeed term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and businessman Rick Jackson advanced to a June runoff after neither candidate surpassed the 50% threshold required to win outright.
