Bottoms wins Georgia governorship, first Black woman in role

Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Georgia governor’s race on Tuesday, ending nearly three decades of Republican control in the state. She became the first Black woman elected to the office in the United States. Her victory occurred in a state that has not elected a Democrat to that post since 1998.

Bottoms defeated Rick Jackson, a billionaire who spent more than $200 million of his own money on the campaign. She accused Jackson of profiting from a broken healthcare system. Her win breaks the Republican hold on Georgia’s state government.

The result comes as Democrats seek to capture a majority of the nation’s governorships. Before Tuesday’s vote, Republicans held 26 of the 50 offices. Democrats controlled offices representing 60% of the U.S. population, but not a majority of the states. Meghan Meehan-Draper, executive director of the Democratic Governors Association, stated the party’s goal is to control the majority of states, not just the population.

Democrats last held a majority of governorships in 2006. Republicans regained that lead in 2010. In Tuesday’s elections, 36 states selected a governor. These states contain about 80% of the nation’s population. In 19 of those states, the office was open. The high number of competitive races reflects President Donald Trump’s low approval ratings among his party’s base.

In Florida, Republican Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly. Jolly, a former Republican congressman, ran as an independent before switching to the Democratic line. This victory kept the GOP in control of Florida, a state it has largely held for two decades. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul won reelection. In California, Xavier Becerra was expected to win his bid for the governor’s office.

Several other key races remain in focus. In Texas, Gina Hinojosa challenged third-term Republican Governor Greg Abbott. Hinojosa emerged from the primary with far less cash than Abbott. The Democratic Governors Association provided her $1 million in aid, less than the amount given to campaigns in Arizona, Georgia, and Ohio. Abbott skipped a Trump rally in Texas, a move seen as a sign of the president’s unpopularity.

In Ohio, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign aired an ad featuring the estranged mother of Democrat Amy Acton. The ad drew criticism from both parties, including Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Trump and Vice President JD Vance defended the spot. In Kansas, Laura Kelly is term-limited, offering Republicans a chance to capture a deep red state. Wisconsin and Michigan also held open governor’s races.

Three Democratic governors who are potential 2028 presidential candidates won reelection: Wes Moore of Maryland, JB Pritzker of Illinois, and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. Their victories demonstrate fundraising strength and electoral viability. The winners in these states will have influence over election administration ahead of the 2028 presidential vote. That role is central to debates over federal control of mail voting and election requirements.