Georgia's Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Keisha Lance Bottoms, is facing criticism for her association with Pastor Jamal Bryant, whose past rhetoric has drawn controversy. Bryant, the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, has appeared at several of Bottoms' campaign rallies and fundraisers.
Critics, including the Republican Governors Association, have pointed to Bryant's past remarks, such as referring to Trump administration supporters and Republicans as "roaches" during an Easter sermon last year. "Roaches only start running when you turn the lights on. As long as the lights are out, they're going to be comfortable," Bryant stated, adding, "Donald Trump, the light is getting ready to come on! MAGA, the light is getting ready to come on!"
Bryant's past support for Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam, has also ignited backlash. In 2015, Bryant described Farrakhan as "one of the greatest leaders of our people" during an interview. He has since deleted social media posts, including those praising Farrakhan, and his former X account.
Bottoms, a former mayor of Atlanta and a former senior adviser in the Biden administration, has appeared on Bryant's podcast and praised him. Bryant also donated $5,000 to Bottoms' leadership PAC in late October. He appeared with civil rights attorney Ben Crump at a fundraiser and with Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff at a rally featuring former President Barack Obama.
Bryant has also been criticized for past remarks about LGBTQ+ individuals. In a 2012 sermon, he described homosexuality as a "sin" and expressed frustration with the Obama-Biden administration's stance on same-sex marriage, calling Obama "black and wrong."
In contrast, Bottoms has a record of supporting LGBTQ+ rights, appointing the city's first LGBTQ affairs coordinator and forming an LGBTQ advisory board during her tenure as mayor. The Daily Mail reported reaching out to Bryant and the Bottoms campaign for comment.