Georgia gubernatorial hopeful Keisha Lance Bottoms avoids runoff, wins Democratic primary
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has won the Democratic nomination in Georgia’s gubernatorial race, becoming the party’s standard-bearer as it looks to flip the governor’s mansion in November.The Associated Press called the race for Bottoms at 10:30 p.m. With 67% of ballots counted, 56-year-old Bottoms held 57.6% of the vote, compared to second-place finisher, 42-year-old former Georgia state Sen. Jason Esteves, who earned 16.7%.Bottoms’s outright victory means she escapes a runoff election and will face the Republican candidate in the November general election for the opportunity to succeed Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA), who is term-limited.
TL;DR
- Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic nomination for Georgia governor.
- Bottoms secured over 57% of the vote, avoiding a runoff.
- She will face the Republican candidate in the November general election.
- Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Rick Jackson will compete in a runoff for the Republican nomination.
- Bottoms's mayoral record, including her tenure during the COVID-19 pandemic and riots, has been a point of attack from Republicans.