Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has announced her bid for the Georgia gubernatorial primary. She joins state senator Jason Esteves as the only other person currently running.
In response to this announcement, the Republican Governors Association (RGA) has issued a statement. Communications Director Courtney Alexander commented thoroughly on both candidates
Alexander first ripped into Bottoms’s record by highlighting her policies on crime, COVID-19, and immigration. She stated, “Keisha Lance Bottoms’ record as Mayor is one that was a disaster for Atlanta — crime skyrocketed, with incidents of homicide, rape, aggravated assault all surging due to her failed policies.”
Alexander continued, “Atlanta was drastically unsafe under Bottoms, and the last thing Georgians want is to bring her policies to the entire state. Bottoms is a risk Georgians cannot afford.”
Esteves then received some harsh criticism over his stance on parental rights and immigration. Alexander commented, “She joins Jason Esteves who, from opposing the border wall to standing in the way of parental rights in education, has proven over and over again that he is woefully out of touch with Georgians.”
The RGA’s statement lists notable facts about both candidates’ records. For example, both supported the Biden administration, and Bottoms even campaigned for it.
Both are noted for their stance on sanctuary city policies and their disdain for border control. Bottoms is noted for her push to implement a statewide mask mandate. Esteves opposed Georgia’s Riley Gaines Act and a statewide school choice program.
It’s also noted how Bottoms served for only one term as Mayor. The RGA implies that if she wasn’t suitable for a second mayoral term, then she wouldn’t be suitable as Governor.
The RGA frames these positions as being wildly out of touch with Georgians. If past gubernatorial elections are to be referenced, that would appear to be the case.
At the beginning of her statement, Alexander summed up how the RGA feels about these candidates. She stated, “The gubernatorial primary is shaping up to be nothing but disappointing for Georgia Democrats.”
