Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor and ex-Biden White House official, won the Democratic primary for Georgia governor by securing a majority in a crowded field. Democrats hope her nomination can end nearly 30 years of GOP control of the governor’s office. More than one million Georgians voted early, with Democrats showing an early turnout edge. Bottoms will face the winner of a June 16 Republican runoff between Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and businessman Rick Jackson.
Ex-Biden Official Keisha Lance Bottoms Wins Georgia Democratic Primary, Aims To End GOP’s 30-Year Hold
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms, walks with her son Langston Bottoms, right, to vote early in the Georgia Primary Election, on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Atlanta(AP Newsroom)
Former Atlanta mayor and ex-Biden White House official Keisha Lance Bottoms has won the Democratic nomination for governor of Georgia, capturing a majority of votes in a crowded primary, the Associated Press reports.
Primary Victory in a Crowded Field
Bottoms emerged as the clear winner in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, prevailing over a large field that included former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan (who has changed party affiliation), former state Sen. Jason Esteves, state Rep. Derrick Jackson, and former state labor commissioner and DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond. The victory gives Democrats a prominent nominee in a pivotal battleground state.
What Her Nomination Means
Democrats hope Bottoms can help end nearly three decades of Republican control of the Georgia governor’s office. The party’s last gubernatorial win was Gov. Roy Barnes in 1998; Republicans have since carried successive races with Sonny Perdue, Nathan Deal and Brian Kemp.
Billionaire businessman Rick Jackson, left, and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones will face off in a June 16 runoff election for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in Georgia.
Record, Criticism and Experience
Bottoms served one term as Atlanta’s mayor after her 2017 election and later joined the Biden administration as a senior adviser and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. She faced criticism from primary rivals over her mayoral record, but maintained frontrunner status throughout the campaign.
Early Voting and Turnout
Early voting signaled strong engagement: more than one million Georgians cast ballots before Election Day, and early returns showed Democrats enjoying a turnout advantage over Republicans.
General Election Outlook
In the November general election, Bottoms will face the Republican nominee — either Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who has the backing of former President Donald Trump, or healthcare executive and billionaire Rick Jackson. Jones and Jackson were the top two finishers in the GOP primary, and because no candidate reached the 50% threshold they will proceed to a runoff on June 16.
Kevin Donohoe, a spokesperson for the Democratic Governors Association, said: "Buckle up for four more weeks of Burt Jones and Rick Jackson going scorched earth on each other and further jeopardizing Republicans’ chances in the general election. Months of infighting has been a disaster for Georgia Republicans – and a gift for Democrats."
Note: This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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