After years of falling short in statewide races, Georgia Democrats are once again betting on a familiar political figure to try to flip the governor’s office in one of the country’s most competitive battleground states.
Keisha Lance Bottoms emerged victorious in Tuesday’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, clearing a crowded field and securing the nomination outright with a majority of the vote, according to The Associated Press.
Bottoms, who previously served as mayor of Atlanta before joining then-President Joe Biden’s administration, entered the race as the best-known Democrat in the contest.
Her opponents included former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, former state Sen. Jason Esteves, state Rep. Derrick Jackson, and former labor commissioner Mike Thurmond.
Fox News reported that the win now sends Bottoms into a high-profile general election fight as Democrats try to end nearly three decades of Republican control over Georgia’s governor’s mansion.
The last Democrat to win the office was former Gov. Roy Barnes in 1998. Since then, Republicans have dominated statewide governor races with victories by Sonny Perdue, Nathan Deal, and the current Gov. Brian Kemp.
Throughout the primary, Bottoms faced repeated attacks during her time leading Atlanta.
Critics inside her own party argued that her single term as mayor could become a liability in November. Bottoms was elected in 2018 but chose not to seek reelection four years later.
She later joined the Biden White House as senior advisor and director of the Office of Public Engagement.
Even with the criticism, Democrats pointed to strong turnout during early voting as a sign of momentum heading into the midterm election cycle.
More than 1 million ballots were cast before Election Day, with Democrats reportedly outperforming Republicans in early participation.
Bottoms will now wait to learn which Republican she will face in November.
Burt Jones, who has the backing of President Donald Trump, and businessman Rick Jackson advanced from the Republican primary after neither candidate secured enough support to avoid a runoff.
The GOP contest will continue through June 16.
Democrats quickly framed the extended Republican battle as a political advantage.
Democratic Governors Association spokesperson Kevin Donohoe said, “Buckle up for four more weeks of Burt Jones and Rick Jackson going scorched earth on each other and further jeopardizing Republicans’ chances in the general election.”
“Months of infighting has been a disaster for Georgia Republicans – and a gift for Democrats,” he added.
