Former President Joe Biden has made his first political endorsement since leaving office, throwing his support behind Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia's crowded Democratic gubernatorial race. In a video released Friday, Biden offered an unvarnished endorsement of his former administration senior adviser, calling her ready to lead the state.
"I've known her for a long time, and she's something special," Biden said in the video. He praised the former Atlanta mayor as "smart" and "focused," and credited her with the ability to get results. Biden noted that "the same qualities that made her a great mayor made her invaluable to our administration." The former president's message was direct: "Georgia, she's ready. She's been ready."
Bottoms, who previously attracted Biden's attention as a potential vice presidential running mate in 2020, currently leads polling in the Democratic primary. But the race remains wide open. The field includes former Georgia state Senator Jason Esteves, former state labor commissioner and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, and former Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, a Republican turned Democrat.
Election arithmetic complicates Bottoms' path forward. She maintains a polling advantage, yet it remains uncertain whether she'll capture more than 50% of the vote in the May 19 primary, which could force a runoff showdown among the top finishers.
The General Election Challenge
The real obstacle awaits in November. Georgia, once safely Republican, has become a critical battleground in presidential elections. But the state continues to lean Republican in statewide races. Democrats haven't elected a governor since Roy Barnes won in 1999 and served through 2003.
Recent history offers both hope and caution. Stacey Abrams nearly pulled off an upset in 2018, falling just under two percentage points short against Brian Kemp. She lost a 2022 rematch by a larger margin, more than seven percentage points, as Kemp solidified his hold on the office. With Kemp term-limited and unable to run again, the Republican side features its own competitive primary between businessman Rick Jackson and Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, who currently lead public polling. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Attorney General Chris Carr are also competing for the GOP nomination, making a Republican runoff probable.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Biden's first post-presidency endorsement signals he's not staying on the sidelines, and his choice of Bottoms tells you the 2024 calculation is already underway in the states that matter most."
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