Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Atlanta mayor who gained national prominence during the pandemic, has emerged as the Democratic front-runner in Georgia's gubernatorial primary. Her campaign emphasizes standing up to Trump's policies and lowering costs, while polls show her ahead of a crowded field of competitors.

Bottoms' rivals—including former Republican Geoff Duncan, millennial entrepreneur Jason Esteves, and veteran politician Michael Thurmond—are betting she cannot avoid a June runoff. They argue her single term as Atlanta's mayor, marked by rising crime and police departures, creates vulnerabilities that could cost Democrats the governorship in November.

Democrats point to favorable conditions: nearly 57 percent of early ballots have come from their primary, turnout exceeds 2022 by 20 percent, and the party has gained ground since Biden's 2020 victory and Senate wins by Warnock and Ossoff. However, Stacey Abrams' 2022 loss and Harris's 2024 defeat show statewide races remain challenging. Bottoms must overcome questions about her mayoral record while uniting a party eager to end two decades of Republican governors.