ATLANTA — Keisha Lance Bottoms, former mayor of Atlanta, took a significant step towards her potential political future on Monday by filing paperwork to raise funds for a possible run in the 2026 Georgia gubernatorial election. The Democrat, known for her decision to forego a second term as Atlanta’s mayor, has indicated her intention to announce her candidacy officially at a later date. Her actions have sparked interest as she has consistently alluded to her ambition for the governor’s office.
Bottoms, a prominent early backer of President Joe Biden, garnered attention as one of the Black women considered for the vice presidential position. Concluding her term as mayor in 2022 amid a challenging period, she transitioned to a role as a CNN commentator before joining Biden’s administration, serving as the director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. In a statement, Bottoms expressed gratitude for the support she has received during this contemplative time, saying, “I am honored and humbled by the encouragement I have received as I have considered running for governor.”
In the race for the governor’s seat, Bottoms is currently set to face competition from another Atlantan, state Democratic Senator Jason Esteves. Despite his legal background and business ownership, Esteves has yet to achieve Bottoms’ level of recognition. They are vying to replace incumbent Republican Governor Brian Kemp, who is approaching the end of his term due to limits. The Democratic contender landscape remains somewhat unclear as potential figures such as U.S. Representative Lucy McBath and 2014 gubernatorial candidate Jason Carter have opted out of the race.
Bottoms’ gubernatorial ambitions are largely framed through her opposition to former President Donald Trump. She emphasized the need for Georgia to have leaders focused on the state’s pressing needs rather than following Trump’s agenda. Alongside Bottoms, other Democrats, including former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, have shown interest in the gubernatorial run, and it remains a question whether Stacey Abrams, who has been a nominee twice before, will enter the race again.
From the Republican side, Attorney General Chris Carr declared his candidacy for governor last year, with expectations that Lt. Governor Burt Jones will soon join the race. Bottoms’ choice not to seek re-election as Atlanta’s mayor in 2021 surprised many. Her decision came amidst rising homicide rates during the COVID-19 pandemic and intense protests against police brutality following George Floyd’s murder by a police officer.
Bottoms gained national attention during this time by urging protestors to “go home,” alongside hip-hop figures like Killer Mike and T.I. Yet, she expressed solidarity with the grieving community as a mother of Black sons and vowed to examine Atlanta’s policing policies. Her leadership faced criticism from Trump and the governor over the handling of COVID-19 and public safety concerns. Additionally, Atlanta’s affluent Buckhead neighborhood attempted to secede, reflecting tensions within the city.
The killing of Rayshard Brooks, a Black man shot by Atlanta police, reignited protests and led to the police chief’s resignation. Early in her mayoral tenure, Bottoms took progressive steps such as eliminating cash bail and severing ongoing partnerships between the city jail and federal immigration officials. Her term was further shadowed by a federal investigation into the previous administration’s corruption and a significant cyberattack on the city’s network.
Despite challenges, Bottoms played a crucial role in negotiating a significant downtown redevelopment initiative, though the city ultimately lost Amazon’s second headquarters to Northern Virginia. Her potential gubernatorial run could send ripples across Georgia’s political landscape as the state looks towards its next leadership chapter.