By Jeff AmyThe Related Press
ATLANTA (AP) — Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms says her single time period as Atlanta mayor gave her “battle-tested government management” that she will supply to Georgia voters as she runs for governor.
Bottoms, 55, formally launched her marketing campaign Might 20, turning into the second well-known Democrat to leap into the 2026 race. State Sen. Jason Esteves of Atlanta introduced his marketing campaign in April.
“As we face the uncertainty and the anxiousness that’s being created in Washington proper now, I’m operating to be a fighter for Georgia,” Bottoms advised The Related Press on Might 19.
“I would like to have the ability to combat and ship for our communities, whether or not it’s from increasing Medicaid, to delivering for our small companies, to creating positive that individuals have a pathway to vocational and profession coaching or faculty,” she mentioned.
Bottoms and Esteves hope to succeed Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who can’t run once more on the finish of his second time period. On the Republican facet, Lawyer Common Chris Carr kicked off his marketing campaign in December, whereas Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is anticipated to announce that he’s operating someday this summer time.
Amongst different Democrats, former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has expressed curiosity, and two-time candidate Stacey Abrams may select to run once more. Additionally operating as a Democrat is the Rev. Olujimi “Olu” Brown, a Methodist minister.
A lawyer and former Justice of the Peace choose, Bottoms gained election to the Atlanta Metropolis Council in 2009 and was reelected in 2013 earlier than outgoing Mayor Kasim Reed endorsed her as his successor.
Bottoms narrowly was elected and served one time period that was outlined by the pandemic. Each Atlanta mayor since World Warfare II had sought a second time period earlier than the day in 2021 when Bottoms shocked Georgia’s political institution by saying she wouldn’t. However she says that didn’t mirror a scarcity of need for public service.
“Not having the power to do the job, that was not the case. Actually, I ran via the tape,” Bottoms mentioned, arguing she continued to perform issues till the tip of her time period.
As an early supporter of former President Joe Biden, Bottoms was amongst these thought-about to be his vp. After stepping down as mayor, she joined the Biden administration as director of the White Home Workplace of Public Engagement.
Bottoms mentioned she’s not frightened about being related to an unpopular Biden. She additionally mentioned she thinks her file on crime and public security is a optimistic one, despite the fact that her administration struggled with the identical COVID-19 period rise in murders as did different cities nationwide.
“As mayor I gave our police and firefighters a historic pay elevate. I truly supported the constructing of the general public security (coaching) middle in Atlanta that’s servicing individuals throughout the area,” Bottoms mentioned. “So I’ve a really sturdy file on the subject of public security.”
Proponents say the $118 million mission, now full, was sorely wanted to exchange outdated amenities.
One early evening of Atlanta protests following the dying of George Floyd in 2020 ended with the burning of a police automobile and damaged home windows downtown that have been broadcast worldwide. Bottoms gained nationwide reward that evening for ordering protesters to “go house” as she stood alongside Atlanta hip-hop stars Killer Mike and T.I.
However weeks after Floyd’s dying, Rayshard Brooks, a Black man, was killed by an Atlanta police officer after a wrestle following a discipline sobriety check. Atlanta’s police chief resigned hours later. After two officers have been charged, Atlanta law enforcement officials referred to as in sick in waves. Later, protesters burned down the Wendy’s the place Brooks died and an 8-year-old woman, Secoriea Turner, was killed when the automobile she was using in was shot at close to the restaurant.
The turmoil led then-President Donald Trump and Kemp to repeatedly assault Bottoms’ management. However Bottoms is betting that it’s Trump that Democratic voters will view because the chaos agent.
“My file has been one in every of offering regular management throughout chaotic occasions,” Bottoms mentioned.
