In the United States’ 250-year history, no Black woman has ever been elected governor of any of the 50 states. Keisha Lance Bottoms is running in Georgia to change that.
In a state where the political landscape has shifted dramatically over the past decade, Bottoms’ candidacy represents both history in the making and a test of how far voters are willing to redefine executive leadership.
She served as mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022, after being elected to two terms on the Atlanta City Council. Her legal résumé includes work as both a prosecutor and a magistrate judge.
After leaving City Hall, she was tapped by President Joe Biden to lead the White House Office of Public Engagement in 2023. In that role, she served as a key liaison between the administration and communities across the country, elevating public concerns directly to the White House. She was also appointed to the President’s Export Council, and in 2020, was widely considered a top contender for Biden’s vice-presidential running mate.
I was first introduced to Bottoms and her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic while working in former Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock’s office. She had recently begun her first term as Atlanta mayor when she was thrust into crisis governance and the national spotlight. Like so many city leaders, she was forced to navigate overlapping emergencies: a global pandemic, the economic instability that followed, the international reckoning after the murder of George Floyd, and the political tensions of Donald Trump’s presidency.
There was no playbook. Cities became ground zero for decisions that would affect millions. Mayors were suddenly responsible for public health mandates, business closures, protest management, and negotiations with state and federal officials–all while maintaining public trust. Watching Black mayors across the country lead through that period reshaped my understanding of executive leadership.
Bottoms emerged as a steady, resolute voice. She did not shy away from difficult conversations. She addressed residents directly and candidly, acknowledging both the gravity of the moment and the humanity of those affected. During the protests in Atlanta, her leadership drew national attention. At times, her protective instincts as a mother were unmistakable as she spoke not just as a mayor, but as someone deeply concerned about the safety and future of her city’s young people. She struck a delicate balance between defending the constitutional right to protest and ensuring public safety–blending empathy with firmness.
When we recently spoke during a January visit to Denver to meet with local leaders, community members, and elected officials, many of them Black women, Bottoms appeared both reflective and reenergized. Known for her signature short haircut during her time as mayor, she now wears a longer look, a subtle shift that mirrors this new chapter of her leadership.
“There were so many lessons,” she said. “But leadership isn’t always about having the playbook — it’s about making the best decisions you can in the moment. When we were leading Atlanta, we couldn’t look to the governor, and we certainly couldn’t look to the president. We had to make decisions based on what was best for our people.”
Now she is seeking to bring that executive experience to the state level. Georgia stands at a political and economic crossroads. Rapid population growth, rural-urban divides, voting rights debates, healthcare access, and public education funding loom large in the state’s future. She argues that her background has prepared her to manage complex systems while keeping people at the center of policy.
If elected, her victory would reverberate far beyond Georgia. For Black women across the country, her candidacy represents possibility during an uncertain political climate.
“As a woman, you’re asked if you’re good enough or smart enough,” Bottoms shared. “As a Black woman, you’re also asked if you’re qualified or tough enough. Those questions are real, and race adds another layer. Being a Black woman in America comes with unique challenges, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. We are resilient, innovative, and extraordinary.”
Beyond symbolism lies substance. She entered a crowded race as the only Black woman competing against high-profile candidates, including Georgia’s lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general. Her policy priorities include expanding Medicaid, addressing affordability issues particularly housing, and eliminating state income taxes for teachers to help combat educator shortages.
The primary election will be held on May 19, 2026.
For Colorado’s Black political community, especially for those of us who watched her lead from afar while navigating similar pressures at home, her candidacy feels personal. For those who witnessed her leadership during one of the most turbulent periods in modern American history, the question is not whether she can lead. It is whether Georgia is ready for the kind of leadership she offers.
Whether voting in Georgia or Colorado, now is not the time for apathy. The news cycle can feel heavy and relentless. Bottoms offers this reminder: “Don’t give up on yourself because when you disengage, you give up on your freedom. Protect your peace. Step back from the news if you need to–but still vote. Educate yourself. As John Lewis said, the right to vote is sacred. If we don’t use it, we’ll lose it.”
To learn more about her campaign, visit www.keishaforgovernor.com.
