Biden Endorses Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms for Georgia Governor in First Post-White House Backing
Why It Matters
Georgia’s 2026 gubernatorial race is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched state contests in the country, and a high-profile endorsement from former President Joe Biden could influence Democratic primary dynamics in a battleground state where Republicans have dominated statewide elections for more than two decades.
The endorsement signals that establishment Democrats are coalescing around Bottoms ahead of the May 19 primary, though the race remains competitive and a runoff is possible.
What Happened
Former President Joe Biden on Friday endorsed Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, in her campaign for governor of Georgia. The endorsement, delivered via video, marks Biden’s first since leaving office in January 2025.
Bottoms served as a senior adviser in the Biden administration after her tenure as Atlanta’s mayor. Biden praised her experience and character directly in the video message.
“I’ve known her for a long time, and she’s something special,” Biden said, according to the video. “The same qualities that made her a great mayor made her invaluable to our administration.” He also called Bottoms “smart” and “focused,” adding that she “gets things done.”
“Georgia, she’s ready. She’s been ready,” Biden said in the video.
Biden had included Bottoms on a short list of potential vice presidential running mates in 2020, underscoring the long-standing political relationship between the two.
By the Numbers
1999 — The last year a Democrat was elected governor of Georgia, when Roy Barnes won and served until 2003.
Less than 2 percentage points — The margin by which Democrat Stacey Abrams lost to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in 2018.
More than 7 percentage points — Kemp’s winning margin over Abrams in their 2022 rematch.
May 19, 2026 — The date of Georgia’s Democratic primary, which could result in a runoff if no candidate clears 50 percent of the vote.
4 major candidates — The Democratic primary field includes Bottoms, former state Sen. Jason Esteves, former state labor commissioner and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, and former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who switched from the Republican Party.
Zoom Out
Georgia has remained reliably Republican in statewide elections despite its status as a presidential battleground. The state’s political landscape has shifted noticeably since 2020, but Democrats have not translated federal-level competitiveness into down-ballot gubernatorial victories.
On the Republican side, the primary field is equally crowded. Businessman Rick Jackson and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones currently lead public polling among GOP candidates, while Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and state Attorney General Chris Carr are also in the race. Incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp is term-limited and cannot seek re-election. Georgia’s 2026 legislative session saw several election-related measures fail to advance, adding further uncertainty to the state’s political environment heading into the primary cycle.
Biden’s endorsement also comes as the former president seeks to remain relevant within the Democratic Party following his departure from office. It is his first public backing of a candidate since leaving the White House.
What’s Next
Georgia’s Democratic primary is scheduled for May 19, 2026. Bottoms currently holds a lead in public polling, but analysts are watching closely to see whether she can secure more than 50 percent of the vote outright and avoid a runoff election.
If no candidate reaches the threshold, the top two finishers would advance to a runoff, extending the nominating contest and potentially shifting the dynamics of the general election race. The Republican primary faces a similar likelihood of a runoff given its competitive multi-candidate field.
Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will face the GOP gubernatorial nominee in a general election contest in a state that has not sent a Democrat to the governor’s office in more than two decades. Voters interested in broader developments shaping Georgia’s political climate can also follow ongoing news from the state as the primary season intensifies.