ATLANTA — Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Republican billionaire Rick Jackson on Tuesday to become Georgia’s next governor, flipping the office for the first time in more than two decades and making history as the first Black woman elected governor of any U.S. state.
The Associated Press and other major outlets projected the race for Bottoms shortly before 9:30 p.m. EST. With the majority of votes counted, she led with roughly 54–55% of the vote to Jackson’s 45–46%.
Keisha Lance Bottoms Wins Georgia Governor’s Race
Jackson, a first-time candidate and healthcare executive, conceded later Tuesday night after calling Bottoms. “Tonight the voters spoke, and I respect their decision. This was a hard-fought election. Keisha Lance Bottoms deserves our congratulations and our prayers as she prepares to take office,” he told supporters at his metro-Atlanta watch party.
A Historic Barrier Falls
Bottoms, 56, is the first woman and the first Black person elected governor of Georgia. She is also the first Black female governor in the country’s history. Her win ends more than 20 years of Republican control of the governor’s office; the last Democrat elected was Roy Barnes in 1998. She will succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.
She previously served as Atlanta mayor from 2018 to 2022 and later as director of public engagement in the Biden White House. Her path to the Democratic nomination included defeating a crowded primary field outright.
Overcoming a Massive Spending Gap
Jackson, valued by Forbes at roughly $1 billion, self-funded much of his campaign, pouring more than $100 million—and by some reports over $200 million—of his own money into the race after entering late and defeating Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in a Republican primary runoff. He cast himself as a political outsider and businessman.
Bottoms overcame that financial disadvantage by focusing on affordability, fully expanding Medicaid, raising the minimum wage, targeting tax relief (including for teachers and on groceries in some proposals), housing costs, and fully funding schools. She also emphasized standing up to the Trump administration and pushed a moratorium or pause on new data centers.
Polls showed a tight race into the final days, with some surveys essentially tied. Late support from national Democrats, including campaign appearances with former President Barack Obama and joint events with Sen. Jon Ossoff (who also won reelection Tuesday), helped boost her. Democrats appeared to perform strongly in other statewide races as well.
Campaign Context and Challenges
Republicans attacked Bottoms’ record as Atlanta mayor, citing crime increases during the pandemic and social unrest, and noted she did not seek reelection. Jackson had aligned himself with Trump during the primary (describing himself at times as wanting to be “like Trump, but with a Southern tone”) before later emphasizing ties to Kemp.
Bottoms highlighted economic pressures facing Georgia families and positioned herself as focused on practical relief rather than national partisan fights. The race was one of the highest-profile contests on the ballot in a state that has become a key battleground in federal races while remaining more reliably Republican at the state level until now.
Bottoms is expected to be inaugurated in January as Georgia’s 84th governor. Results remain unofficial pending full certification, but the race has been called by major outlets and conceded by Jackson.16
Her victory marks a significant milestone for Georgia Democrats and for representation in American politics, building on the state’s shifting demographics and prior Democratic successes in Senate races.