“You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” – Shirley Chisholm

ATLANTA, GA — Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has officially announced her candidacy for governor of Georgia, setting the stage for a high-stakes political race that could reshape the state’s political future. Bottoms, a seasoned leader with deep roots in Georgia politics, follows in the trailblazing footsteps of Stacey Abrams, whose gubernatorial campaigns in 2018 and 2022 galvanized national attention and transformed Democratic organizing in the South.

Bottoms’ candidacy represents not only a continuation of progressive leadership in Georgia but also a celebration of Black excellence and legacy. Like Abrams, she is a proud graduate of a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Bottoms earned her undergraduate degree from Florida A&M University (FAMU), while Abrams is an alumna of Spelman College in Atlanta—two of the nation’s most storied HBCUs.

Their shared HBCU backgrounds are more than biographical footnotes; they reflect a commitment to community uplift, public service, and a legacy of activism. These institutions have long served as incubators for Black leadership in America, and both women have credited their college experiences as pivotal to their political journeys.

Stacey Abrams made history as the first Black woman to become a major party’s gubernatorial nominee in the United States when she ran in 2018. Though she narrowly lost to Republican Brian Kemp in a highly contested race, Abrams’ campaign was widely credited with mobilizing a new generation of voters—particularly in Black and underserved communities. Her continued efforts in voter registration and rights advocacy laid the groundwork for major Democratic victories in Georgia during the 2020 presidential election and the Senate runoffs that followed.

Now, with Abrams not seeking a third run, Keisha Lance Bottoms steps into the spotlight. Known for her steady leadership as Atlanta’s mayor during times of crisis—including the COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide protests following the murder of George Floyd—Bottoms brings executive experience and a reputation for calm, measured governance.

In her campaign announcement, Bottoms emphasized unity, economic opportunity, and protecting voting rights—a central theme for Georgia Democrats since Abrams’ rise. “This race isn’t just about me—it’s about the future of Georgia,” Bottoms said. “It’s about continuing the work started by trailblazers like Stacey Abrams and honoring the values we learned at our HBCUs: to lead with integrity, to fight for justice, and to never stop believing in what’s possible.”

Political analysts view Bottoms as a formidable candidate who can appeal to both urban voters in metro Atlanta and to the broader coalition that Abrams helped build. Her leadership experience, combined with her national profile—bolstered by her role as a senior advisor to President Joe Biden—positions her as a strong contender in what is sure to be one of the nation’s most closely watched gubernatorial races.

As Georgia continues to grow and diversify, the candidacies of Abrams and now Bottoms signal a new era of political leadership—one shaped by historically Black institutions, grassroots energy, and a vision for a more inclusive future.

Bottoms’ entry into the race marks not just a personal political milestone, but also the ongoing evolution of Georgia as a bellwether for change in the American South.