Decision 2026: Gubernatorial Candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms discusses healthcare, affordability and education

Bottoms, a former mayor of Atlanta, is running against Republican nominee Rick Jackson, a businessman and founder of Jackson Healthcare. The candidates are competing to succeed Gov. Brian Kemp, who cannot seek another consecutive term.

MACON. Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – With Election Day approaching, Decision 2026: Georgia Votes takes a closer look at the race for Georgia governor, featuring an interview with Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms.

During the episode, Bottoms discusses her background, priorities and plans for Georgia if elected governor.

Health care and affordability are central to her campaign. Bottoms supports expanding Medicaid, arguing that doing so would increase access to coverage and help protect rural hospitals. She has also proposed eliminating state income taxes for public school teachers, expanding affordable housing and investing in education and career training.

Bottoms’ broader affordability agenda includes proposals aimed at lowering household expenses and helping Georgians access health care, housing and employment opportunities.

Before launching her campaign for governor, Bottoms served as Atlanta’s mayor from 2018 to 2022. She also served as a Fulton County judge, an Atlanta City Council member and a senior adviser to former President Joe Biden.

41NBC reached out to Republican nominee Rick Jackson’s campaign team several times to request an interview for the episode. The campaign told the station it did not have time to participate.

As a result, Jackson does not appear in this episode. The program does not include a political expert interview.

Jackson’s campaign has emphasized lowering taxes, reducing government spending, freezing tuition at public colleges and expanding workforce training. He has also proposed cutting Georgia’s state income tax and freezing property taxes.

The candidates have offered different approaches to several issues facing Georgia, including taxation, health care and the cost of living.

Georgia’s governor serves as the state’s chief executive and oversees the executive branch. The governor is responsible for ensuring state laws are faithfully executed, serves as commander-in-chief of Georgia’s military forces and can sign or veto legislation passed by the General Assembly.

The governor’s decisions can influence the state budget, public services, economic development and other issues affecting residents.

Decision 2026: Georgia Votes is part of 41NBC’s election coverage, designed to help voters learn about candidates, their backgrounds and their plans for Georgia before casting their ballots.

Georgia’s general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.