Keisha Lance Bottoms announces run for governor, vows to unite Georgia

Keisha Lance Bottoms explains why she is best choice for governor

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms sat down with FOX 5 Atlanta to explain why she is the best choice to be the next governor of the state of Georgia.

ATLANTA - After weeks of speculation, former Atlanta Mayor and White House adviser Keisha Lance Bottoms has officially announced she is running for Georgia governor in 2026.

In a one-on-one interview with FOX 5’s Angelique Proctor at the Georgia State Capitol, Bottoms said her experience as mayor of Atlanta and her recent role as a senior advisor in the Biden administration have prepared her to lead the state on day one.

What they're saying:

Bottoms said she is a fifth-generation Georgian who has what it takes to run the state.

The wife and mother-of-four says she believes Georgians are ready to turn the page from what she calls the "dysfunction" of the Trump administration.

"As mayor, I led Atlanta through difficult times, supported small businesses, raised pay for first responders, and expanded affordable housing … Georgia families deserve far better than what Donald Trump and Republicans are giving us right now - I will be a governor for all Georgians," Bottoms said in her announcement.

She said expanding Medicaid for the 300,000 Georgians who are still uninsured, supporting small businesses, and no income tax for teachers are a few of the items that will top her agenda.

"I am a fighter. People are looking for somebody to fight against the chaos that's coming out of Washington," she told Proctor. "The chaos is being created by the Donald Trump administration, and I am ready to lead and I am ready to fight on behalf of the community across Georgia.

Additionally, she plans to address Georgia's teacher shortage. Among her key proposals: eliminating state income taxes for teachers. 

"We still have a teacher shortage in the state, and we know it’s impacting what’s happening in our classrooms," Bottoms said.

The backstory:

Bottoms, a Democrat, served as mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022, where she received national recognition for her leadership during the George Floyd protests, her work on affordable housing, and efforts to advance social justice. However, she also faced criticism for rising violent crime during her tenure and her frequent clashes with Governor Brian Kemp over COVID-19 policies.

After surprising many by opting not to seek a second term as mayor, Bottoms went on to serve in the White House as a senior advisor to President Joe Biden. Now, she says the time is right to seek higher office.

"For everything, there is a season," she said. "And I fought until the day I left office."

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Big picture view:

The race for governor is expected to draw heavy interest. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is term-limited and cannot run again. 

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, a Republican, officially launched his campaign to replace Kemp last year. On the Democratic side, state Sen. Jason Esteves announced his plans to run in April. Olu Brown, the former pastor at Impact United Methodist Church, announced his campaign in August 2024. 

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones are also considered potential Republican candidates. Stacey Abrams, who was the Democratic nominee for governor in 2018 and 2022, is reportedly considering another run.

If elected, Bottoms would become the first Black woman governor in Georgia’s history—a milestone she believes the state is ready for.

"Right now, the timing is right," she said.

Bottoms emphasized her commitment to working across the aisle and said her leadership will focus on delivering results for all Georgians. Her entry into the race adds another high-profile name to what is expected to be a closely watched gubernatorial contest.