Georgia primary shows Black women still power Democrats

Key Points:

• Black women demonstrated significant electoral influence in Georgia’s Democratic primary, notably propelling former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to a decisive victory for the gubernatorial nomination, potentially making her the nation’s first Black woman governor.
• Down-ballot races also reflected this trend, with Black women winning key nominations, including Tanya Miller for attorney general and Jasmine Clark for a U.S. House seat, alongside several judicial victories in Fulton County described as a "Black woman tsunami."
• The surge builds on a coalition shaped by Stacey Abrams’ earlier campaigns, which expanded voter turnout among Black Georgians, closing the racial turnout gap in this primary and boosting overall Democratic participation by 48% compared to 2022.
• While Bottoms performed strongly across most counties, including diverse parts of Atlanta, strategists emphasize her need to broaden appeal beyond the Democratic base to independents and disaffected Republicans for success in the general election.
• Party leaders acknowledge ongoing challenges in fully mobilizing and supporting Black women voters and activists, highlighting the necessity of sustained engagement, investment, and policy focus to maintain and grow this influential coalition ahead of November.