Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has made history after defeating healthcare businessman Rick Jackson in the Georgia gubernatorial election.
According to projections by the Associated Press, CNN and NBC News, Bottoms secured 54.4 per cent of the vote against Jackson’s 45.6 per cent, with more than 70 per cent of votes counted.
Her victory makes her the first Black woman to be elected governor in United States history. She also becomes the first Democrat to win Georgia’s governorship since 1998.
During her campaign, Bottoms focused on affordability, healthcare, housing and childcare, visiting communities across the state to engage residents and listen to their concerns.
Speaking during an interview with Posted on the Corner, she explained her decision to campaign across several cities, including Columbus, Macon, Augusta, Albany, Valdosta and Rome.
“I get to talk, but most importantly, I get to listen and I can put faces with the fight, the people I’m fighting for,” she said.
She also urged young voters not to allow the pursuit of perfect political candidates to discourage them from participating in elections.
“Nobody’s going to be perfect… put away the purity test,” she said.
On her policy plans, Bottoms proposed allowing local governments to suspend or completely eliminate grocery taxes where financially possible. She also promised to eliminate taxes on diapers, feminine hygiene products and baby formula.
She further identified mental health services, healthcare access, workforce housing, education funding and small business support as priorities that would be addressed through the state budget.
Bottoms said young people interested in public service should not be afraid of failure, adding, “Don’t think that you have to be perfect, because you don’t. Everybody needs to bring their whole selves to office.”
Her victory marks a significant political milestone for Georgia and the United States.
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