Keisha Lance Bottoms vies for governorship of Georgia

Keisha Lance Bottoms is making history as she vies for the governorship of Georgia, a position that would make her the first woman to hold the office in the United States.

This milestone is significant not just for Bottoms herself but also for Black women who have long faced barriers in politics. Despite her ambitious goals, Bottoms tends to focus on the policies she would implement as governor rather than the groundbreaking nature of her candidacy.

Her personal connection to Georgia is undeniable. As a fifth-generation Georgian, Bottoms' family has deep roots in the state that date back to antebellum times. Her ancestors were once enslaved on a plantation in Crawfordville, and while she rarely discusses this aspect of her heritage explicitly, it undoubtedly plays a role in her desire to serve as governor.

Bottoms is facing off against Republican nominee Rick Jackson, a billionaire with a significant advantage in terms of wealth and influence. Despite his claims that Bottoms' tenure as mayor was marked by crime and decline, the former mayor remains committed to her vision for Georgia's future.

Atlanta's image as a city plagued by crime and decline is being used as a political tool to discredit Keisha Lance Bottoms' tenure as mayor. However, this narrative has been widely debunked by experts who point out that Atlanta is home to numerous international events, including the Olympics and World Cup soccer matches.

In recent ads, Bottoms has pushed back against these claims by highlighting her leadership during the 2020 street protests against police violence in Atlanta and nationwide. The ads feature footage of a news conference she held with law enforcement leaders at the time, where she urged protesters to "go home if they didn't care about the city.

The Republican candidate's attacks on Bottoms are not just about her policies, but also about her identity as a Black woman in politics. In a state where all 83 governors since 1776 have been white men, Bottoms' presence is seen as a departure from the norm.

Republican coalitions in Georgia rely heavily on suburban and rural areas, where voters often view big cities and their leaders with skepticism. The rhetoric used against Bottoms draws on these biases, tapping into deep-seated concerns about race and gender.

Jackson's ads have been particularly effective in using footage of the 2020 protests and violence to paint a negative picture of Bottoms' leadership. The images are grainy and unsettling, but they also serve as a reminder of the real issues that Bottoms faced during her time as mayor.

The Republican campaign's attacks on Keisha Lance Bottoms' record as mayor of Atlanta have drawn criticism from some of her supporters, who feel that these criticisms are often based on personal biases rather than a genuine assessment of her qualifications.

Retired educator Beverly Rice, a supporter of Bottoms, expressed this sentiment, saying that it is easy for people to attack both Atlanta and its former mayor based on their own prejudices. This criticism suggests that the Republican campaign's efforts may be motivated by factors other than a desire to genuinely evaluate Bottoms' suitability as governor.

The nomination of Keisha Lance Bottoms marks the third consecutive time that Georgia Democrats have put forward a Black woman for the state's top office. In 2018 and 2022, Stacey Abrams ran against Republican Governor Brian Kemp but lost both times. Abrams attributed her defeats to various factors, rather than solely blaming her race or gender.

Abrams noted that Black women running for governor face a unique challenge in terms of voter expectations. Since there is no precedent for a Black woman holding the office, voters may place an undue emphasis on executive experience when evaluating candidates. This standard, Abrams argued, does not apply equally to all candidates.

Stacey Abrams also pointed out that Keisha Lance Bottoms has a strong claim to executive experience due to her time as mayor of Atlanta. Before serving in this role, Bottoms held various positions, including City Council member, magistrate judge, and prosecutor. This diverse background is why some argue that Republicans have been particularly aggressive in criticizing Bottoms' qualifications.

As Keisha Lance Bottoms navigates her transition from mayor to a potential governor, some critics are questioning her qualifications for the role. One of the most vocal critics is Democrat Stacey Abrams' opponent in this year's gubernatorial election, Staci Jackson.

Jackson has been relentless in his attacks on Bottoms, labeling her as a bad mayor who wouldn't make a good governor. He has repeatedly pointed to Bottoms' decision not to run for re-election as mayor, instead joining the Biden administration as a senior adviser. This move, according to Jackson, was a betrayal of Atlanta's trust.

Jackson's campaign has also been fueled by claims that Bottoms allowed Atlanta to burn during her tenure as mayor. This reference is particularly significant in a city known for its resilience and symbolism of rebirth, embodied by the phoenix rising from the ashes. The allusion to the Civil War-era destruction of Atlanta adds an extra layer of weight to these accusations.

At recent campaign events, including a rally in Macon, President Trump has echoed Jackson's criticisms, labeling Bottoms as responsible for crime and filth" and "constant riots in Atlanta.

The city's reputation has taken a hit in recent years, according to President Trump, who claims that Atlanta is no longer considered a great place.

This criticism echoes his 2017 comments on then-U.S. Rep. John Lewis' district, which Trump described as crime-infested" and said was "falling apart". The area includes major corporations such as Delta Airlines and Coca-Cola, as well as the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Federal statistics show that Atlanta did experience a crime spike during Bottoms' tenure, but this trend mirrored the nationwide surge in crime during the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the pandemic subsided, both US and Atlanta crime rates declined significantly.

Bottoms has also taken heat from Republicans over her handling of bail, with some exaggerating the scope of her executive order blocking the Atlanta jail from holding federal immigration detainees. However, she did sign a city ordinance eliminating cash bail for certain nonviolent crimes to reduce the jail population and what she deemed excessive punishment for minor offenses.

Bottoms' campaign emphasizes tangible policy differences, particularly her focus on addressing economic struggles and expanding Medicaid eligibility to reach both urban and rural populations across racial lines.

This approach is also reflected in her handling of public safety concerns, where she has shown a balance between toughness and empathy for the realities faced by Black Americans. Her aides believe this portrayal will resonate with voters who want a governor who understands their needs.

The campaign's message is that Bottoms should be judged on her policies rather than being defined solely by her racial identity as a Black woman in politics, which can sometimes create barriers to success.