EMILYs List has endorsed former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in the crowded Democratic primary for Georgia governor, the organization announced Thursday. The national group, which focuses on electing Democratic women who support abortion rights, signaled its backing as Bottoms seeks to translate her local and national profile into a statewide campaign.
Bottoms led Atlanta through the coronavirus pandemic and the tumult following George Floyd’s murder. She chose not to seek another term as mayor in 2021, later served as a senior adviser in the Biden White House, and officially launched her gubernatorial bid in May.
EMILYs List President Jessica Mackler lauded Bottoms’ record, saying she has guided Georgians through difficult moments and is equipped to deliver stability and economic relief for working families. If elected, Bottoms would be the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history.
The Democratic primary features several contenders, including former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan—a onetime Republican who broke with Donald Trump—and former state Sen. Jason Esteves. Republicans have controlled Georgia’s governor’s office for most of the 21st century, and the Republican Governors Association has dismissed Bottoms’ campaign as a risky choice for the state.
Bottoms has been outspoken about the influence of former President Trump, criticizing the chaos she says his politics foster and arguing voters need experienced leaders who can address real problems in their communities.
Democrats see potential in next year’s midterms after a string of recent wins in Georgia: Joe Biden narrowly carried the state in 2020, and Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock won U.S. Senate seats in runoffs that year, with Warnock later securing a full term in 2022. At the same time, losses such as Stacey Abrams’ 2018 defeat to Brian Kemp and Trump’s 2024 victory in Georgia highlight the state’s competitiveness and unpredictability.
Bottoms has emphasized the need for a focused campaign that listens to voters as Democrats try to build on any anti-Trump sentiment and regain momentum at both the state and national levels. EMILYs List’s endorsement gives her a prominent organization’s resources and credibility as she campaigns in a tight and closely watched Democratic primary.