A first in 250 years: The first black female governor in US history was elected

While the midterm elections continue in the USA, a historic result emerged in the state of Georgia. Democratic Party candidate and former Mayor of Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms, was elected Governor of Georgia, defeating her Republican opponent, Rick Jackson.

NBC News announced Bottoms won the election, as Steven J. Gaither of HBCU Gameday reported Nov. 3.

Bottoms thus became the first black woman elected governor of a state in US history. She also became Georgia's first female and first black governor.

THE 23-YEAR PERIOD HAS ENDED

Bottoms' victory marks a significant shift in Georgia's political history. Republicans, who have held the governor's office in the state since 2003, are handing over the administration to Democrats after 23 years.

One of the striking aspects of the election was the huge difference between the candidates' campaign budgets.

Billionaire businessman Rick Jackson, who operates in the healthcare sector, transferred more than $100 million from his personal fortune to the election campaign. Bottoms won the race despite her opponent's financial superiority.

FROM MUNICIPALITY TO GOVERNORSHIP

Born in 1970, Keisha Lance Bottoms graduated from Florida A&M University's College of Journalism and Graphic Communications in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism.

Bottoms, who later completed his education at Georgia State University School of Law, worked as a judge before his political career.

Bottoms, who serves on the Atlanta City Council, was elected mayor of the city in 2017 and took office in January 2018.

During his term as mayor, he faced the COVID-19 pandemic and the anti-racism protests that broke out across the country following the killing of George Floyd.

Following her term, Bottoms joined the Joe Biden administration and worked as the Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and a senior advisor to the President.

WHAT PROMISES DID HE STAND OUT?

In her election campaign, Bottoms focused particularly on the economic conditions of low- and middle-income families.

The Democratic candidate has promised to expand coverage of the Medicaid health insurance program, raise the minimum wage and improve economic opportunities for working families.

The election result is also considered an important turning point for universities that have historically provided education to black students in the United States.