Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms mulling Georgia gubernatorial run
Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat, has recently announced that she is considering a run for Georgia’s governor in the upcoming election. In an interview with Fox 5 Atlanta, Bottoms shared that she is seriously contemplating entering the race in 2026 but wants to complete some ongoing projects, including writing a new book, before making a final decision.
During the interview, Bottoms took the opportunity to criticize former President Donald Trump for what she perceives as a failure to fulfill his campaign promises. She specifically called out his approach to deporting illegal immigrants, particularly those who have not committed violent crimes. Bottoms expressed concern for the families left behind in these situations, drawing parallels to the family separation policies she dealt with during her time as Atlanta’s mayor.
Bottoms recently resigned from her position in the Biden administration, where she served on the President’s Export Council. Despite claims from Trump that he fired her, Bottoms clarified that she had already submitted her resignation letter in January, making her departure voluntary. She had previously held roles as senior advisor to President Biden and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
Addressing criticisms about her decision not to seek re-election as Atlanta’s mayor in 2021, Bottoms emphasized that mayors are elected to serve four-year terms. She completed her term as mayor and believes that if there is a desire for longer tenures, the election process should reflect that with the option for longer terms.
As Bottoms explores the possibility of a gubernatorial run in Georgia, her background in public service and experience in various political roles will likely shape her campaign platform. Stay tuned for updates on Bottoms’ potential bid for the governorship and how it may impact the political landscape in Georgia.
