Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has won Georgia’s governor race, making history as the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history.
Bottoms, a Democrat, defeated Republican Rick Jackson in Tuesday’s election. Her victory also makes her Georgia’s first Black governor and the first woman elected to lead the state.
Jackson, 72, the founder of Jackson Healthcare, spent more than $200 million of his own money on the race but lost to Bottoms despite outspending her.
Bottoms, 56, served as Atlanta’s mayor from 2018 to 2022 before joining former President Joe Biden’s administration as a senior adviser.
She secured the Democratic nomination in May after receiving more than 50% of the primary vote, avoiding a runoff election.
Her victory marks the first time a Democrat has won Georgia’s governor race in nearly 30 years. She will succeed Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who could not run for a third consecutive term because of term limits.
At her victory party, Bottoms told attendees, “No matter who you voted for tonight, I will be a governor for all of Georgia.”
Eight Black major-party candidates ran for governor on Tuesday, including two women, Bottoms and Republican Lisa Demuth in Minnesota.
Before Bottoms, only three Black men had been elected governor in U.S. history, all Democrats.
