TL;DR
- Biden endorses Keisha Lance Bottoms for governor.
- This is his first endorsement since leaving office.
- Bottoms leads in polls but faces a tough primary.
- Georgia has not elected a Democrat since 1999.
- The GOP primary is also crowded.
In a political landscape that’s hotter than a Georgia summer, former President Joe Biden is making waves with his first endorsement since leaving the Oval Office. He’s throwing his weight behind none other than Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, who’s gunning for the governor’s mansion in the Peach State. In a video announcement, Biden praised Bottoms, saying, “I’ve known her for a long time, and she’s something special.” Well, if that’s not a glowing endorsement, we don’t know what is!
Biden didn’t hold back, calling her “smart” and “focused,” and emphasizing her ability to “get things done.” He declared, “Georgia, she’s ready. She’s been ready.” This isn’t just a casual shout-out; it’s a strategic move in a state that has become a battleground for political power, especially after the nail-biting elections of recent years.
Bottoms is stepping into a crowded Democratic primary field, which includes former Georgia state Senator Jason Esteves and other notable names like former state labor commissioner Michael Thurmond and former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who switched parties from Republican to Democrat. Talk about a plot twist! While Bottoms is currently leading in public polling, the race is still wide open, and it’s anyone’s game as they head toward the May 19 primary.
Now, let’s talk stakes: Georgia hasn’t elected a Democrat to the governor’s office since 1999. That’s a long dry spell, folks! The last Democrat to hold the position was Roy Barnes, who served until 2003. In 2018, Stacey Abrams came heartbreakingly close to breaking that streak, losing to Republican Brian Kemp by less than two percentage points. Fast forward to 2022, and Kemp beat Abrams again—this time by more than seven points. Ouch! Can Bottoms change the narrative?
https://x.com/JoeBiden/status/2050208441851838892
The Republican primary is shaping up to be just as chaotic. Businessman Rick Jackson and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones are currently leading the pack, but they’re not the only players in this game. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and state attorney general Chris Carr are also in the mix. With Kemp term-limited, the GOP is eager to keep the governor’s mansion in their hands.
As the political drama unfolds, all eyes will be on Bottoms to see if she can leverage Biden’s endorsement into a victory in the primary. Will she be able to unite the Democratic base and capture the attention of undecided voters? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: this race is heating up, and it’s going to be one wild ride!