Keisha Lance Bottoms Confident in Georgia Governor's Race Despite Massive Spending Disadvantage

In the race to succeed term-limited Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Democratic candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms is confronting a significant financial disparity, with her Republican opponent, healthcare executive and billionaire Rick Jackson, having invested over $100 million of his personal funds. Despite this, Bottoms expressed confidence in her campaign's standing less than two weeks before Election Day.

"My opponent has put over $100 million of his own money in this race. And this race is still tied," Bottoms stated in an interview with ABC News. She added, "He has the money, but the people still have the power."

A poll released by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution shows the gubernatorial race statistically tied, with 46% of likely voters supporting Jackson and 45% backing Bottoms. Georgia has not elected a Democratic governor since 1998.

Jackson's campaign issued a statement emphasizing their ground game and media strategy, asserting that Jackson is committed to sharing his story and vision with Georgians daily. Jackson himself declined an interview request from ABC News.

Campaign Promises and Policy Positions

Bottoms outlined plans to address affordability, including suspending taxes on items like diapers and feminine hygiene products and establishing an affordable housing trust fund. Her proposed "grocery tax relief plan" would allow local governments the option to suspend or eliminate grocery taxes.

She also stated that as governor, she would oppose the Trump administration's immigration policies and oppose cuts to federal agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Addressing Criticism Over Mayoral Term

Opponents, including Jackson, have criticized Bottoms' record as the former mayor of Atlanta. Jackson has characterized her tenure as "disastrous" and stated that "bad mayors don't make good governors."

Bottoms attributed a rise in crime rates during her term to the COVID-19 pandemic and the state's reopening decisions. "Just before things shut down -- which, we didn't shut down very long in Georgia -- I was touting a reduction in crime in our city," Bottoms said. "Then there was the pandemic, and then the governor made the decision to reopen Georgia ... So, our numbers went up, and we started seeing the trend before many other cities saw it."

According to analysis from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, violent crime in Atlanta increased by 59% from 2019 to 2020, compared to a 33% increase in other cities during the same period.

Bottoms defended her decision not to seek reelection in 2021, calling it "deeply personal." She cited family reasons, including having children in school and personal health issues, as factors in her choice to prioritize family during that time. "If I go to bed like my daddy did and I don't wake up, where do I want to spend these four years? And for me, it was wanting to be the best version of myself for my family. So that's very different than quitting," she stated.

Potential Historic Milestone

If elected, Keisha Lance Bottoms would become the first Black woman to serve as governor in U.S. history. She would also be the first woman and the first Black person elected governor in Georgia. Describing the potential milestone as "much more personal," Bottoms noted her family's deep roots in Georgia, with ancestors on both sides being enslaved people in the state.