Former Atlanta Mayor Kicks Off 2026 Governor Race with Strong Message for Georgia Families
Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, has officially announced her run for governor of Georgia in 2026. She made the announcement in a heartfelt video shared on social media, where she recalled lessons from her “Grandmama” about resilience.
“No matter how hard they swing, you never stay down, you fight back,” she said. Bottoms pointed to the damage she believes former President Donald Trump and Republican leaders have caused in the state. “That’s why I’m running for governor. Because Georgia families deserve far better than what Donald Trump and Republicans are giving us.”
Bottoms Criticizes Trump’s Impact on Georgia’s Economy and Healthcare
Bottoms did not hold back in her criticism of Trump, calling him “a disaster for our economy and our country.” She highlighted several key failures during his presidency, including his inability to control rising prices and the controversial decision to give Tesla’s Elon Musk power over Medicare and Social Security cuts.
She also condemned Georgia’s refusal to expand Medicaid, which she says led to nine rural hospitals closing and 300,000 residents losing healthcare access. “Trump 2.0 has been even more catastrophic,” she said in a recent interview. She pointed out that thousands of jobs tied to Georgia’s Port of Savannah have been affected by Trump’s tariff policies. Additionally, layoffs at the CDC in Atlanta have hurt the local economy.
“Everything that Trump does is impacting us, whether you’re looking at your retirement account or you are a CEO,” she added. “He has not been a great president for Georgia.”
Facing Political Challenges and Republican Attacks on Campaign
Bottoms faces tough competition from Republican rivals who have already targeted her campaign. Critics are trying to link her closely to former President Joe Biden, aiming to paint her as too liberal for Georgia voters.
Several Republican leaders have branded Democratic candidates, including Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, as out of touch with the state’s values. They plan to push this narrative against Bottoms too. However, Bottoms says she is running her own race.
“I’m going to make the case for me,” she said. “I’m not running based on anybody else’s record or their decisions.” She emphasized that her experience working with the Biden administration taught her how to be a strong advocate and how to fight for what she believes in.
A Personal Mission to Improve Lives of Georgia Families
Bottoms’ campaign centers on improving the lives of families across Georgia. She stresses the need to focus on healthcare, job growth, and economic stability. Drawing on her upbringing and public service experience, she aims to be a leader who stands firm for the people.
With Georgia’s political scene heating up, Bottoms’ bid to become the first Democratic governor in over 20 years is already drawing national attention. Her message is clear: Georgia deserves better leadership that fights for its families, not just political games.
