Keisha Lance Bottoms is still taking in the excitement of becoming Georgia’s next governor, but her historic victory hasn’t stopped her from being a wife and mother. During a conversation with Rickey Smiley, Gary and Special K, the governor-elect shared what election night looked like behind the scenes and what she hopes to accomplish once she takes office.
Bottoms admitted she almost missed the moment her victory was announced. Instead of watching the election results, she was listening to gospel music through her AirPods while working on her victory speech. Her husband eventually had to get her attention by throwing a pillow and telling her the race had been called.
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“I said, called what? He said, they called the race. I said, what race?” she recalled.
Her son Langston soon rushed into the room to confirm the news. Bottoms said she had expected a much longer evening and was still working on her remarks when her family told her she had won.
The conversation also turned to the personal side of her political journey. Bottoms said her husband of 32 years and their four children have helped keep her grounded. Even on election day, her children still needed their mother to iron pants and schedule a car service appointment.
She also credited her children with helping her connect with younger voters. By listening to their perspectives, she said she learned to talk less and pay closer attention to what young people care about. Bottoms believes that work helped her campaign connect with voters between 18 and 24.
As she prepares to lead Georgia, affordability is at the top of her agenda. Bottoms said housing, healthcare and the rising cost of living will be major priorities. She wants to expand and fully fund a statewide affordable housing trust fund modeled after a program established during her time as Atlanta mayor. The program would help residents with rental assistance, down payment assistance and affordable housing.
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“When people are struggling, people need to be housed, and they need to be housed with dignity,” she said.
Bottoms also discussed her relationship with outgoing Governor Brian Kemp, saying they have a pleasant personal relationship despite their political disagreements. She welcomed his decision not to call a special legislative session to redraw political districts or limit the incoming governor’s powers.
One of the most emotional moments came when Bottoms reflected on visiting her childhood church and discovering the grave of her great-great-grandmother, Betsy Peek, just one day before the election. Peek was born in 1845, before the end of slavery. Bottoms said finding her ancestor’s grave reminded her of the generations who came before her.
“It was like she was speaking to me saying, baby, you, you’re standing on some steel shoulders made of steel. You got this,” she shared.
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She also honored her late father, Major Lance, a Grammy-nominated singer who encouraged her to aim high and never be afraid to ask for an opportunity. Bottoms said his example taught her the importance of humility, kindness and giving others a chance.
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The interview closed with a lighter lightning round, where Bottoms revealed that she enjoys Real Housewives and Married to Medicine, makes good macaroni and cheese, and refuses to give up her faith.
As she looks toward taking office, Bottoms said she is proud of Georgia and the voters who helped make history. “Georgia understood the assignment,” she said, adding that the excitement of election night now has to turn into meaningful work for the state.
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