Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms warned that President Trump's heavy spending and endorsements in Georgia could backfire, saying voters are growing tired of his agenda. She noted Senator Jon Ossoff now leads while her gubernatorial race is nearly tied despite her billionaire opponent's funding. Bottoms also expressed concern about more than 250 FBI agents deployed to Fulton County and her opponent's comments about calling the National Guard. She highlighted that Rick Jackson donated $2 million to Trump during the primary and that Trump's remarks about that donation were used in campaign ads.
Bottoms Warns: Trump's Money Could Backfire in Georgia Governor's Race
Photo Illustration by Victoria Sunday/The Daily Beast/Getty Images
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms says President Donald Trump's financial involvement in Georgia's elections may have the opposite effect he intends, arguing that voters are increasingly weary of his agenda.
Speaking with Joanna Coles on The Daily Beast Podcast, Bottoms suggested that the influx of cash into Georgia races might actually harm Republican prospects. Bottoms, who is running for governor against Republican businessman Rick Jackson, highlighted broader trends she says favor Democrats.
Bottoms has said voters need to be prepared for any shenanigans from the president. / Alyssa Pointer / REUTERS
Bottoms noted that Senator Jon Ossoff, once the top target for Republicans, now appears to hold a comfortable lead over his challenger. At the same time, she said, most polls show her own gubernatorial contest nearly tied despite Jackson's substantial personal spending.
"You've got Senator Ossoff on the ballot who, going into the election cycle, was the number one target for Republicans. He has a pretty wide margin over his opponent. And then you have our race and I am running against a billionaire who has put his own money into this race and just about every poll is showing us tied," Bottoms said.
Bottoms argued these results reflect mounting momentum for change nationwide and suggested that many voters are already acting as if Trump himself were on the ballot.
The National Guard has already been seen at some polling locations. / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images
She also criticized the GOP's midterm outlook, saying Republican candidates appear headed for poor results. Bottoms pointed to Trump's low approval ratings and said his campaign tactic—urging supporters to "vote like I'm on the ballot" and emphasizing his record—has not produced the expected boost.
Coles referenced Trump's recent interview with Time magazine, in which he did not rule out invoking the Insurrection Act during the midterms, and asked Bottoms whether she feared last-minute tactics. Bottoms replied that she is "deeply concerned."
Rick Jackson is a close ally of Trump. / Evelyn Hockstein / REUTERS
Bottoms said federal agents are already active in the state, noting that more than 250 FBI agents have been deployed to Fulton County by the Department of Justice. She added that her Republican opponent has publicly said he would call in the National Guard during the election cycle, raising further concern.
Questioning what Jackson might be anticipating that others do not know, Bottoms highlighted his close ties to Trump. She said Jackson donated $2 million to Trump during the primary—a contribution Trump later boasted about. Bottoms' campaign clipped that remark for use in negative advertising.
"Trump was Trumping. I'll just put it that way," she added.
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