Keisha Lance Bottoms

About the Candidate

Bottoms record and why you should vote for her in 2026 Keisha Lance Bottoms' record is defined by fiscal stability, affordability-focused policy, and a strong public safety and economic record as Atlanta mayor — and her 2026 platform builds directly on those themes. Her Record: What She Has Done Fiscal Management & Budget Stability • Built $180 million in city reserves during her term as Atlanta mayor while holding property taxes steady. • Finished her term with a $180 million budget surplus without raising taxes. • Added $11 billion to Atlanta's total economic output. Affordable Housing & Cost of Living • Created or preserved 7,000 affordable housing units in Atlanta — one of the largest expansions in city history. • As a candidate, she proposes: grants for first-time homebuyers, low-interest financing for affordable housing, and free technical/community college to expand workforce access. Public Safety & First Responders • Delivered historic pay raises for Atlanta police officers and firefighters. • Strongly disputes claims that she ever ordered police to "stand down" during 2020 unrest. Economic Development • Landed nine Fortune 500 companies in Atlanta. • Supported small businesses and expanded job opportunities statewide. Healthcare & Medicaid Expansion • Running on expanding Medicaid, which she argues will lower healthcare costs, keep rural hospitals open, and expand coverage for hundreds of thousands of Georgians. Election Integrity & Democracy • Has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump's actions regarding Georgia elections, including the FBI raid on the Fulton County Election Hub. • Says she will protect free and fair elections and resist federal overreach. Her 2026 Platform: What She Says She'll Do Lower Costs for Families • Extend the gas tax suspension for relief at the pump. • Eliminate state income taxes for teachers to boost retention and affordability. • Crack down on corporate investors driving up home prices. Expand Medicaid • A central pillar of her campaign — she argues it will reduce costs and prevent rural hospital closures. Education & Workforce • Fully fund K–12 schools. • Provide free technical/community college for trades and tech careers. Public Safety • Continue supporting police and fire departments with competitive pay and training. • Balance enforcement with community-based safety programs. Why Her Campaign Says You Should Vote for Her These are her campaign's stated arguments, not opinion. 1. Proven Fiscal Stewardship — her team highlights that she managed Atlanta's finances conservatively, building reserves, avoiding tax hikes, and delivering a surplus. 2. Focus on Everyday Costs — she argues Georgians care more about cost of living, healthcare, and jobs than national partisan fights. 3. Strong Record on Public Safety — her campaign emphasizes police and firefighter raises and rejects claims she weakened law enforcement. 4. Economic Growth & Jobs — she points to Fortune 500 recruitment, small-business support, and job-training expansion. 5. Healthcare Expansion — she argues Medicaid expansion is the single biggest step Georgia can take to lower costs and improve rural healthcare. 6. Historic Opportunity — if elected, she would be the first African American woman governor in Georgia, and possibly the first in the nation. She says she is focused on delivering results, not the symbolism. At-a-Glance Summary: Fiscal Management — built $180M reserves, held taxes steady, $180M surplus, +$11B economic output. Housing & Affordability — 7,000 affordable units, grants & financing for homebuyers. Public Safety — raised police/fire pay, disputes "stand down" narrative. Healthcare — strong Medicaid expansion advocate. Education — free technical/community college, teacher income-tax elimination. Economy — attracted 9 Fortune 500 companies, supports small businesses. Source: Microsoft Copilot 2026