Lance Bottoms becomes first Black woman governor as nine states set records
The 56-year-old former Atlanta mayor defeats Rick Jackson in Georgia, joining eight other candidates who will make history in their respective states.
By Giulia Donovan ·
Keisha Lance Bottoms is set to become the first Black woman elected as governor of a U.S. state. The 56-year-old Democrat defeated Republican Rick Jackson in Georgia, marking the first time a Democrat has won a gubernatorial race in that state in more than two decades. Bottoms served as Atlanta mayor from 2018 to 2022 and later advised former President Joe Biden.
Lance Bottoms joins seven other female candidates who secured historic victories on Tuesday. Deb Haaland of New Mexico will be the first Native American woman to serve as governor. The Democrat, of Pueblo Indian descent, defeated Republican Gregg Hull. Haaland previously served in Congress and as Interior Secretary, roles in which she also broke barriers for Native American women.
Latino representation will expand in the Southwest. Xavier Becerra will become California's first elected Latino governor after defeating Republican Steve Hilton. Becerra, a former attorney general and HHS secretary, will succeed Gavin Newsom. In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott to become the state's first Latina governor. Her victory makes her Texas' first Democratic governor in more than 30 years.
Florida and Wisconsin each elected their first Black governors. Byron Donalds, a Republican and former member of Congress, won in Florida by campaigning on affordability. He had the backing of President Donald Trump and a large election budget. In Wisconsin, Democrat David Crowley defeated Republican Tom Tiffany. Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, campaigned on his ability to work across the political aisle.
Three additional states will have their first female governors. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee defeated Democrat Jerri Green in a race focused on immigration and government spending. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota defeated Republican Lisa Demuth, the former House speaker. In Ohio, Democrat Amy Acton defeated Vivek Ramaswamy to become the state's first Jewish governor and first Democratic governor in two decades.
Acton served as Ohio's chief public health officer during the pandemic. The election was marked by national criticism of an attack ad in the final weeks. These results reflect shifts in voter demographics and party control across the nine states.
