- Keisha Lance Bottoms becomes the first woman and first Black person elected governor of Georgia and first Black woman governor in the U.S.
- She served as Atlanta mayor and led the White House Office of Public Engagement under President Joe Biden.
- Campaign emphasized health care, affordable housing, education, Medicaid expansion, and state income tax relief for teachers.
- Her victory follows years of organizing, including efforts tied to Stacey Abrams, amplifying Black voters and testing governance on health, housing, infrastructure.
Former Atlanta mayor defeats Republican Rick Jackson, returning the governor’s office to Democratic control for the first time in more than two decades.
SAVANNAH, Ga. | November 4, 2026 — Georgia voters made history Tuesday, electing Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms as the state’s next governor. Her victory over Republican businessman Rick Jackson makes her the first woman and first Black person elected to Georgia’s highest office.
Bottoms also becomes the first Black woman elected governor of any U.S. state, marking a historic moment for Georgia and the nation.
The Associated Press called the race Tuesday night, ending a closely watched contest for the office currently held by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who could not seek a third consecutive term.
A New Chapter in Georgia Politics
Bottoms’ victory represents a major political shift. Republicans have controlled Georgia’s governor’s office since 2003, even as Democrats have won important presidential and U.S. Senate elections in recent years.
The former Atlanta mayor served from 2018 through 2021 and later joined President Joe Biden’s administration, where she directed the White House Office of Public Engagement.
During her campaign, Bottoms focused on issues affecting working families, including health care, affordable housing, education and economic opportunity.
Her proposals included expanding Medicaid, improving access to affordable housing and providing state income tax relief for teachers.
Jackson, a businessman who founded Jackson Healthcare, emphasized economic development, tax reductions, public safety and opportunities for small businesses. He campaigned as a political outsider who could bring private-sector experience to state government.
A Historic Moment for Black Voters
For generations, Black Georgians have fought for voting rights, political representation and greater opportunities to participate in government.
Bottoms’ election adds another chapter to that history.
Her victory follows years of organizing and voter engagement across Georgia, including the efforts surrounding Stacey Abrams’ gubernatorial campaigns in 2018 and 2022.
Although Abrams did not win those elections, her campaigns helped bring national attention to voter participation and political change in Georgia.
Bottoms now enters office with an opportunity to turn her campaign promises into policies affecting communities throughout the state.
What the Election Means for Savannah and Coastal Georgia
For residents of Savannah, Chatham County and surrounding communities, the next administration will face important decisions involving health care, public education, housing affordability, transportation and economic development.
Georgia’s growing coastal region also faces challenges related to infrastructure, workforce development and the cost of living.
How the Bottoms administration addresses those issues will matter to families and businesses across Coastal Georgia.
Bottoms will succeed Kemp when the new gubernatorial term begins in January 2027.
Her election is already historic. The next test will be how her administration governs a state with diverse communities, competing priorities and growing expectations.
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