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NBC News projects that Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat and former mayor of Atlanta, has won the race for governor of Georgia, defeating Republican Rick Jackson. This victory marks a significant shift, as Bottoms becomes the first woman and the first Black person to be elected governor of Georgia, as well as the first Black female governor in U.S. history. The win flips control of the governor's office to Democrats for the first time in 24 years, according to NBC News.
Bottoms overcame a substantial spending disadvantage against Jackson, a billionaire healthcare executive who invested over $100 million of his own money into his campaign. Despite this, Bottoms leveraged endorsements from prominent figures like Former President Barack Obama and campaigned alongside Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, who was also up for re-election.
Throughout the campaign, Bottoms focused on economic issues and affordability, while also highlighting Jackson's ties to President Donald Trump, who endorsed him. This strategy resonated with voters, especially as Trump faced low approval ratings in Georgia. During their only general election debate, Bottoms criticized Jackson for wanting to be "Trump's favorite governor" and linked him to Trump's efforts to question the 2020 election results.
Jackson, who had initially refused to acknowledge the 2020 election results, eventually conceded that Joe Biden won. However, his campaign continued to face challenges, including unresolved intraparty tensions following a contentious primary.
Bottoms' victory is a landmark moment for Georgia Democrats, who have not held the governor's office since 1998. Her win is seen as a reflection of Georgia's evolving political landscape, which has become increasingly competitive in recent years.