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Keisha Lance Bottoms surprised by lopsided win in Georgia governor's race: "I thought it could be much closer"

CBS News • November 4, 2026 • nation

Key Points:

Keisha Lance Bottoms will become the first Black woman to serve as governor of Georgia and the first female governor of the state when she takes office in January.
Bottoms learned of her election victory in a casual moment when her husband drew her attention to the TV calling the race, with CBS News projecting her win by 9:30 p.m. ET.
She defeated Republican Rick Jackson by approximately 360,000 votes with 99% of precincts reporting, in a state known for its competitive political landscape.
Bottoms plans to focus on addressing cost-of-living issues, suspending the grocery tax, expanding Medicaid, and fully funding pre-K and education in her initial budget.
Her election contributes to a record number of 17 women governors nationwide, highlighting a growing presence of female leadership in U.S. state governments.

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