(SmyrnaVinings.News) — Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms has defeated Republican Rick Jackson in Georgia’s gubernatorial election, becoming the state’s first Democratic governor in more than two decades and its first Black woman elected to the office, Fox News Channel reported.
Why it matters: Bottoms’ victory ends Republican control of the governor’s office, which began in 2003 when Sonny Perdue succeeded Democrat Roy Barnes.
The background: Bottoms served as Atlanta’s 60th mayor from 2018 to 2022. Her tenure was marked by rising violent crime, protests over police conduct and criticism of her administration’s handling of public safety.
Bottoms announced in 2021 that she would not seek reelection, amid mounting criticism of her leadership and concerns about crime in Atlanta.
The race: Bottoms faced Jackson, a wealthy health care executive and political newcomer, in a closely watched contest to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.
Jackson made criticism of Bottoms’ record as Atlanta mayor central to his campaign, while Bottoms emphasized health care, affordability and opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies.
The historical perspective: Barnes, who served as Georgia’s 80th governor from 1999 to 2003, was the last Democrat elected to lead the state. His defeat in 2002 marked the beginning of more than two decades of Republican control of the governor’s office.
The bottom line: Bottoms returns to elected office after leaving Atlanta City Hall in 2022, marking a major political comeback despite controversies surrounding her mayoral administration.
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