Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms from the state of Georgia became the first black female governor of the USA
Georgia switches from Republican to Democratic rule after 24 years
Quick Look
- Democratic Party candidate Stacey Bottoms defeated Rick Jackson in the election in which the state of Georgia switched from Republicans to Democrats for the first time in 24 years and Bottoms became the state's first black female governor.
- In New York, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul retained her seat for the second time, beating Republican Bruce Blakeman.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The last Democratic governor in Georgia was elected in 1998. Bottoms served as mayor of Atlanta from 2018-2022. Hochul became the first female governor of New York after the resignation of Andrew Cuomo in 2021 and was elected to a full term in 2022, beating Lee Zeldin by 6 points.
According to unofficial results, Bottoms became the state's first black female governor, while the state's administration passed from Republicans to Democrats for the first time in 24 years.
Bottoms, the Democratic Party candidate who won against Republican Rick Jackson, made history as the first woman and the first black person to be elected governor in the state of Georgia.
Bottoms, who previously served as mayor of Atlanta, the state's largest city, also became the first black female governor in US history.
While this victory, in which Bottoms qualified to replace outgoing Republican Governor Brian Kemp, was a turning point for Democrats, Georgia has become an important battleground in federal elections in recent years.
The last time a Democratic governor won an election in Georgia was 1998.
While the Democratic Party was making a national effort to win the state of Georgia, many prominent Democratic officials supported Bottoms, and former US President Barack Obama also announced his support for the black female candidate in a video message.
Bottoms was subject to constant attacks from Republicans during her time as mayor of Atlanta between 2018 and 2022.
Democrats also won the governorship of New York, one of the important states
In New York, one of the states known as the stronghold of Democrats in the USA, the current Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul (68) managed to retain her seat.
The voters of New York, a very important state for the Democratic Party, preferred female Governor Hochul to her Republican rival Bruce Blakeman.
Hochul, who easily eliminated Blakeman, was entitled to run the New York Governorship for the second time without a break, for another 4 years, according to unofficial results.
Hochul became the first female governor of New York after the resignation of then-Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2021, and was elected for a full term in the elections held in 2022, beating Republican Lee Zeldin by 6 points.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Bottoms to take office as governor of Georgia
Very likely · Within weeks
Hochul will continue his run as New York governor for a second term
Very likely · Within years
Open Questions
- When will the official results of the election be announced?
- What areas will be a priority in Bottoms' gubernatorial program?
- How will this change in Georgia affect the state's role in upcoming federal elections?
