Latest news with #ExportCouncil
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms officially announces run for governor
The Brief Former Atlanta Mayor and White House adviser Keisha Lance Bottoms has officially announced that she is running to be Georgia's next governor. Bottoms told FOX 5's Aungelique Proctor that her top priorities would be expanding Medicaid and supporting small businesses. The former mayor joins Republican Attorney General Chris Carr, Democratic state Sen. Jason Esteves and former pastor Olu Brown in the race. ATLANTA - After weeks of speculation, former Atlanta Mayor and White House adviser Keisha Lance Bottoms has officially announced she is running for Georgia governor in 2026. Bottoms made the announcement on Tuesday after speaking with FOX 5's Aungelique Proctor about her decision. What they're saying Bottoms said she is a fifth-generation Georgian who has what it takes to run the state. The wife and mother-of-four says she believes Georgians are ready to turn the page from what she calls the "dysfunction" of the Trump administration. "As mayor, I led Atlanta through difficult times, supported small businesses, raised pay for first responders, and expanded affordable housing … Georgia families deserve far better than what Donald Trump and Republicans are giving us right now - I will be a governor for all Georgians," Bottoms said in her announcement. She said expanding Medicaid for the 300,000 Georgians who are still uninsured, supporting small businesses, and no income tax for teachers are a few of the items that will top her agenda. "I am a fighter. People are looking for somebody to fight against the chaos that's coming out of Washington," she told Proctor. "The chaos is being created by the Donald Trump administration, and I am ready to lead and I am ready to fight on behalf of the community across Georgia. The backstory Bottoms served as Atlanta's mayor from 2018 to 2022. During her term, she was praised for her work on social justice issues and affordable housing. Her administration also faced major challenges, including a massive cyberattack and a federal corruption investigation involving members of former Mayor Kasim Reed's team. However, Bottoms also faced criticism over rising violent crime in Atlanta and her handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Since leaving City Hall, Bottoms has remained active on the national stage, serving as a senior adviser to former President Joe Biden. RELATED STORIES Mayor Bottoms reflects on terms as Atlanta mayor, looks to the future during final press conference Report: Former Atlanta Mayor Bottoms tapped as top aide for President Biden Ex-Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms appointed to Biden's Export Council Big picture view The race for governor is expected to draw heavy interest. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is term-limited and cannot run again. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, a Republican, officially launched his campaign to replace Kemp last year. On the Democratic side, state Sen. Jason Esteves announced his plans to run in April. Olu Brown, the former pastor at Impact United Methodist Church, announced his campaign in August 2024. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones are also considered potential Republican candidates. Stacey Abrams, who was the Democratic nominee for governor in 2018 and 2022, is reportedly considering another run. The Source FOX 5's Aungelique Proctor interviewed former Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms ahead of her announcement. Additional reporting came from previous FOX 5 stories.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Atlanta mayor launches bid for Georgia governor
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) formally launched her campaign for Georgia governor on Tuesday, becoming the most high-profile figure to jump into the Democratic primary. In a launch video titled 'For Georgia,' Bottoms pays tribute to her grandmother teaching her and her family to 'always stand up to bullies.' The former mayor goes on the offensive against President Trump, calling him 'a disaster.' Bottoms also slams Trump's senior adviser Elon Musk without naming him, saying Trump gave 'an elected billionaire the power to cut Medicare and Social Security.' Bottoms is vowing to make expanding Medicaid 'my top priority' and to eliminate state income taxes for teachers. She has also touted her record as Atlanta mayor giving police officers and firefighters pay raises. She also jabs at Trump for firing her from her post on the President's Export Council at the start of his second administration, noting that she had already resigned from the post. Bottoms, who served as Atlanta mayor for three years under the Trump administration, noted in an interview with The Hill that the 2024 election was 'a turning point' for her. 'While I didn't vote for him, I certainly hoped that this term would be different and unfortunately in many ways, it's been worse,' Bottoms said. Her candidacy comes as Democrats look to rebuild following their widespread losses in 2024. When asked what Democrats can do differently going into the 2026 midterms, Bottoms said the party needs to 'listen to people and believe them when they tell us what they care about.' 'People care about reproductive freedom, but if they can't put food on the table, it's often difficult for them to get to other issues,' she said. 'People care about the economy. They care about being able to afford to pay their rent and to buy a home. They care about their retirement fund.' Bottoms served as Atlanta mayor from 2018 to 2022 and was among President Biden's choices to serve as his vice presidential pick in 2020. In 2022, Bottoms began serving as a senior adviser to Biden and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. The former mayor confirmed last month that she was positioning herself to run for governor. She joins Georgia state Sen. Jason Esteves (D) and pastor Olu Brown in the Democratic primary. Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.) announced in March she would be pausing her exploratory bid for the role, citing her husband's cancer battle. On the Republican side Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has jumped in the party's primary, while Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R ), and Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger have been floated as potential candidates. If Bottoms were to win the governor's race, she would become the first Democrat to hold the governor's mansion since 2003. She could also potentially become the first Black women to serve as a state's governor. Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears (R ) is the GOP nominee for governor in that state's 2025 elections. Georgia's current Gov. Brian Kemp's (R ) term ends as the state has become a pivotal battleground up and down the ballot. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the state's governor and Senate races as 'toss-ups.' Biden famously flipped the state in the 2020 presidential election, however Trump flipped it back last November. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Former Atlanta mayor launches bid for Georgia governor
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) formally launched her campaign for Georgia governor on Tuesday, becoming the most high-profile figure to jump into the Democratic primary. In a launch video titled 'For Georgia,' Bottoms pays tribute to her grandmother teaching her and her family to 'always stand up to bullies.' The former mayor goes on the offensive against President Trump, calling him 'a disaster.' Bottoms also slams Trump's senior adviser Elon Musk without naming him, saying Trump gave 'an elected billionaire the power to cut Medicare and Social Security.' Bottoms is vowing to make expanding Medicaid 'my top priority' and to eliminate state income taxes for teachers. She has also touted her record as Atlanta mayor giving police officers and firefighters pay raises. She also jabs at Trump for firing her from her post on the President's Export Council at the start of his second administration, noting that she had already resigned from the post. Bottoms, who served as Atlanta mayor for three years under the Trump administration, noted in an interview with The Hill that the 2024 election was 'a turning point' for her. 'While I didn't vote for him, I certainly hoped that this term would be different and unfortunately in many ways, it's been worse,' Bottoms said. Her candidacy comes as Democrats look to rebuild following their widespread losses in 2024. When asked what Democrats can do differently going into the 2026 midterms, Bottoms said the party needs to 'listen to people and believe them when they tell us what they care about.' 'People care about reproductive freedom, but if they can't put food on the table, it's often difficult for them to get to other issues,' she said. 'People care about the economy. They care about being able to afford to pay their rent and to buy a home. They care about their retirement fund.' Bottoms served as Atlanta mayor from 2018 to 2022 and was among President Biden's choices to serve as his vice presidential pick in 2020. In 2022, Bottoms began serving as a senior adviser to Biden and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. The former mayor confirmed last month that she was positioning herself to run for governor. She joins Georgia state Sen. Jason Esteves (D) and pastor Olu Brown in the Democratic primary. Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.) announced in March she would be pausing her exploratory bid for the role, citing her husband's cancer battle. On the Republican side Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has jumped in the party's primary, while Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R ), and Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger have been floated as potential candidates. If Bottoms were to win the governor's race, she would become the first Democrat to hold the governor's mansion since 2003. She could also potentially become the first Black women to serve as a state's governor. Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears (R ) is the GOP nominee for governor in that state's 2025 elections. Georgia's current Gov. Brian Kemp's (R ) term ends as the state has become a pivotal battleground up and down the ballot. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the state's governor and Senate races as 'toss-ups.' Biden famously flipped the state in the 2020 presidential election, however Trump flipped it back last November.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms mulling Georgia gubernatorial run
Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat, said she is considering a run to be Georgia's next governor. Bottoms, who most recently served in the Biden administration, told Fox 5 Atlanta that she is seriously contemplating running in the Georgia gubernatorial election in 2026 but wants to finish some things she is working on first, including a new book. She also knocked President Donald Trump, who she believes is already failing to deliver on his campaign promises, as she eyes a return to public office. Biden's Former Senior Adviser Keisha Lance Bottoms Rejoining White House In New Role The former mayor further criticized the president for mass deporting illegal migrants who have not committed violent crimes. "I don't think there are many people who are against people who have violent criminal records being deported if they are in the country illegally," she said. "When I see the raids, I immediately think of the families that are left behind, and it's reminiscent of family separation policies that I had to deal with when I was mayor of Atlanta." Read On The Fox News App Bottoms resigned earlier this month from the White House, where she served on President Joe Biden's Export Council. Trump claimed on Truth Social that he fired her after he took office, but she provided a letter from Biden thanking her for her service, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. "I had already resigned. I sent in my resignation letter the first week of January saying it was effective Jan. 20, and it also was an unpaid position," Bottoms said. She also previously served in the Biden administration as senior advisor to the president and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement from July 2022 until April 2023. Keisha Lance Bottoms Announces Departure From White House Role Bottoms also wanted to address critics who say she quit her job as Atlanta's mayor when she decided not to run for re-election in 2021. "I think people forget that mayors are elected to a four-year term," she said. "I finished my term. If we want people to serve as mayor for eight years, we should make sure that they are elected to an eight-year term."Original article source: Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms mulling Georgia gubernatorial run
Fox News
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms mulling Georgia gubernatorial run
Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat, said she is considering a run to be Georgia's next governor. Bottoms, who most recently served in the Biden administration, told Fox 5 Atlanta that she is seriously contemplating running in the Georgia gubernatorial election in 2026 but wants to finish some things she is working on first, including a new book. She also knocked President Donald Trump, who she believes is already failing to deliver on his campaign promises, as she eyes a return to public office. The former mayor further criticized the president for mass deporting illegal migrants who have not committed violent crimes. "I don't think there are many people who are against people who have violent criminal records being deported if they are in the country illegally," she said. "When I see the raids, I immediately think of the families that are left behind, and it's reminiscent of family separation policies that I had to deal with when I was mayor of Atlanta." Bottoms resigned earlier this month from the White House, where she served on President Joe Biden's Export Council. Trump claimed on Truth Social that he fired her after he took office, but she provided a letter from Biden thanking her for her service, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. "I had already resigned. I sent in my resignation letter the first week of January saying it was effective Jan. 20, and it also was an unpaid position," Bottoms said. She also previously served in the Biden administration as senior advisor to the president and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement from July 2022 until April 2023. Bottoms also wanted to address critics who say she quit her job as Atlanta's mayor when she decided not to run for re-election in 2021. "I think people forget that mayors are elected to a four-year term," she said. "I finished my term. If we want people to serve as mayor for eight years, we should make sure that they are elected to an eight-year term."
