Keisha Lance Bottoms Announces Bid for Georgia Governor in 2026

ATLANTA — Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has confirmed her intention to run for governor of Georgia in the 2026 election. Bottoms announced her plans to 11Alive News on Friday, stating that a formal announcement will be made soon.

Earlier in the day, Bottoms released a statement expressing her commitment to the gubernatorial race. She quoted Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., saying, ‘There is a fierce urgency of now,’ emphasizing the necessity for leaders who prioritize the needs of Georgia over partisan politics. ‘I have previously publicly shared that I was seriously considering a run for governor and expect to make a formal announcement soon,’ Bottoms wrote.

Bottoms served as mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022, and she later joined the Biden administration, holding a senior advisory position and serving on Biden’s Export Council. Her political involvement has remained strong, particularly within Democratic Party leadership.

While Bottoms has yet to disclose specific policies she aims to prioritize in her campaign, she has stated that she is ‘keeping all of [her] options open,’ indicating she is actively discussing her political future with family. In a previous interview with 11Alive in January, she noted her attentiveness to upcoming races in Georgia, declaring, ‘I’m paying attention to what those opportunities may be. I’ll just say stay tuned.’

The announcement comes as the Democratic field narrows. Rep. Lucy McBath, another potential candidate, recently suspended her campaign due to personal family matters, which may have paved the way for Bottoms’ entry into the race.

Dr. Andra Gillespie, a political science professor at Emory University, commented on Bottoms’ candidacy. ‘She has the type of experience that makes her a strong contender for the Democratic nomination. With McBath stepping back, the field is wide open for Bottoms,’ Gillespie said.

On the Republican side, Attorney General Chris Carr is already fundraising for his gubernatorial run, while Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, a supporter of Donald Trump, is also expected to enter the race. With Gov. Brian Kemp being term-limited, the 2026 gubernatorial election is shaping up to be a competitive contest.

‘The stars have to align perfectly for Democratic candidates to win, and there’s hope that increasing dissatisfaction among Republicans could provide an opportunity for victory,’ Gillespie added.

11Alive will continue to monitor the developments in the 2026 governor’s race, as well as Bottoms’ official campaign rollout.