An Associated Press call puts Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms on course to become the first Black woman elected governor in the United States, a milestone for a Republican-led state.
NPR reported that the Associated Press called Georgia’s governor’s race for Bottoms over Republican Rick Jackson, a billionaire health care executive endorsed by President Donald Trump. The outlet said Georgia had gone more than 20 years without electing a Democratic governor.
NPR described Georgia as increasingly competitive, with Democratic senators, even as Republicans continued to hold the governor’s office and Legislature. Bottoms served as Atlanta mayor from 2018 to 2022 before advising the Biden administration, NPR reported.
Bottoms made statewide Medicaid expansion a central campaign promise. NPR said the plan would need legislative approval, with Republicans expected to control at least one chamber of the state Legislature.
She also backs giving municipalities the option to waive the grocery sales tax. Bottoms has said public school teachers should be exempt from Georgia’s state income tax. EconoTimes previously covered the candidates’ tax and Medicaid plans.
Data center development also featured in the campaign. NPR reported that Georgia ranks first among states for new data center construction; Bottoms supports a moratorium on new projects. She said she would stand up to the Trump administration and seek relief from high prices, NPR reported.
