Keisha Lance Bottoms Poised to Run for Governor of Georgia in 2026
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is preparing for a political comeback with her sights set on the Georgia Governor’s Mansion. During her appearance at the Leading Women Defined Summit in California, Bottoms announced her intent to run for governor in 2026, citing the urgent need for principled and compassionate leadership in Georgia.
“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded us that there is a ‘fierce urgency of now,’” she said to a room full of Black women leaders and influencers. “For the people of Georgia, that includes having leaders who aren’t blindly following Trump off of a moral and economic cliff.”
A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Bottoms has long represented the values of service, scholarship, and sisterhood that her organization upholds. Her potential gubernatorial run signals a powerful moment not only for Georgia politics but for Black Greek Letter Organizations and the broader community of Black women in leadership.
Bottoms served as Atlanta’s mayor from 2018 to 2022, guiding the city through a pandemic, civil unrest, and significant economic challenges. Following her time in office, she continued to elevate her national profile, serving as a senior advisor to President Joe Biden and remaining an influential voice on matters of social justice and civic engagement.
Her anticipated candidacy comes as U.S. Representative Lucy McBath suspends her own exploratory bid for governor to focus on her husband’s health. With McBath stepping aside, Bottoms is widely expected to emerge as a leading contender for the Democratic nomination.
On the Republican side, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has already declared his candidacy, setting the stage for what could be a defining race in one of the nation’s most politically contested states.
If elected, Bottoms would become the first Black woman to serve as governor of Georgia, and only the third Black woman in U.S. history to hold such a position — a milestone that reflects both progress and the continued fight for representation.
As 2026 approaches, Keisha Lance Bottoms is ready to once again stand in the arena — grounded in purpose, backed by her community, and driven by the fierce urgency of now.
