Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has officially announced her bid for Georgia’s highest office, stepping into the 2026 Governor’s race as the second Democrat to throw a hat in the ring following State Senator Jason Esteves. But Georgia conservatives, especially those here in Cobb County, have to ask:
Can someone with a record like Bottoms’ truly lead this state forward?
In her single term as mayor, Bottoms faced significant criticism for her handling of public safety, COVID-era decisions, and the breakdown of law and order during widespread protests. Bottoms now wants voters to overlook that record and hand her the keys to the Governor’s mansion.
Former Atlanta Mayor’s Record Raises Eyebrows, Not Confidence
Bottoms touts a few achievements from her term as Atlanta’s Mayor, like pay raises for police and firefighters, but many Georgians remember the chaos that defined her leadership.
Atlanta saw a devastating 60% increase in homicides under Bottoms’ administration, an alarming figure that left families grieving and neighborhoods reeling. Rather than backing the brave men and women of law enforcement, Bottoms sided with radical protestors, allowed chaos to fester, and created an atmosphere where police were demoralized and criminals emboldened.
- In 2020, she oversaw a city under siege during violent protests.
- An armed encampment was allowed to remain for weeks after a Wendy’s was burned down, ending only after an 8-year-old girl was tragically murdered.
- Her decision not to run for a second term as Mayor spoke volumes to many in the city and beyond.
Atlanta’s mismanagement under Bottoms became a cautionary tale of what happens when woke progressive policies overrule practical governance.
From City Hall to the Biden White House
After “stepping down”, Bottoms aligned herself with the Biden administration, serving as a senior advisor. This connection to President Biden may earn her points with D.C. elites, but it does little to inspire confidence in everyday Georgians struggling under the former administration’s failed economic and border policies.
Bottoms claims she wants to represent communities “outside Atlanta,” but her record suggests an agenda shaped more by Democrat talking points than by Georgia values.
When Democrats say “expand Medicaid,” conservatives hear federal dependency, not real healthcare reform. And when government picks “winning” businesses to support, it’s local entrepreneurs who pay the price.
Medicaid Expansion and Tax Promises, Familiar Democrat Rhetoric
Bottoms’ campaign platform includes expanding Medicaid, eliminating teacher income taxes, and supporting small businesses. But Georgia voters have heard these same promises before, often followed by bloated spending and bureaucracy that hurts more than it helps.
Democrat Field Still in Flux, But GOP Voters Are Watching
Bottoms joins state Sen. Jason Esteves in the Democratic field, with some still wondering if Stacey Abrams will take another shot in 2026. Meanwhile, strong Republican leaders like Attorney General Chris Carr, Insurance Commissioner John King, and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones are already energizing Georgia voters with clear, conservative visions for the future.
As the race heats up, the choice for Georgia becomes clearer: common sense leadership rooted in freedom, safety, and family values, or more progressive mismanagement.
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