Keisha Lance Bottoms’ Message for Georgia Show Up and Vote
Keisha Lance Bottoms joins Still Posted Aftershow to talk Georgia politics, voting power, and what’s at stake.
Black News 
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms returned to the Still Posted Aftershow this week, rocking Georgia blue and bringing real talk to hosts Incognito and DJ Misses. The gubernatorial candidate covered taxes, voting power, leadership lessons, and even oxtails.
The hosts welcomed Bottoms back, noting she “ain’t no stranger” to the show. She said the highlight of her campaign has been traveling the state, with stops in Columbus, Macon, Augusta, Albany, Valdosta, Waycross, and Rome. The goal, she explained, is to listen. “I can put faces with the fight,” she said, “the people I’m fighting for.”
The Governor’s Power
For viewers who don’t follow politics closely, Bottoms broke down what a governor actually controls. The state budget starts in the governor’s office before it goes to the legislature for approval. That budget shapes funding for mental health services, healthcare, workforce housing, education, and small businesses. The governor also appoints the Board of Regents, which helps set college tuition.
Putting Money Back in Your Pocket
Bottoms explained her proposal to let local governments suspend or end their grocery tax if they can afford it. The state doesn’t collect that tax, but counties like Fulton, Gwinnett, and DeKalb do. She also wants to eliminate taxes on diapers, baby formula, and feminine hygiene products.
TRENDING STORY: Keisha Lance Bottoms Wins Her Primary—What Does It Mean for Her Georgia Governor’s Race?
TRENDING STORY: New Georgia Project Voting Rights Group Officially Dissolves
Your Vote Is the Bag
Bottoms pointed to the 2018 governor’s race, where an average of 21 votes per precinct separated the winner from the loser. Her advice to first-time voters: “Put away the purity test.” She compared choosing a candidate to a relationship. Nobody is perfect, but getting seven or eight out of ten is a win. She then took aim at her opponent, saying he wants to be “Trump with a southern tone.” She cited his statements on DEI, abortion, and calling in the National Guard during elections. “We’ve made too much progress to take 10 steps back,” she said.
Lessons from the Mayor’s Office
Asked what she would handle differently from her time as Atlanta’s mayor, Bottoms said hindsight offers a lens leaders don’t have in the moment. Any leader worth their salt looks back and asks those questions, she added. Still, she stands by making the best decision she could at the time.
Fish Fry or Victory Lap?
When the hosts asked how a win would be celebrated, Bottoms joked about a fish fry, a barbecue, and a day party. Then she got serious. “We just gotta win,” she said. The voter registration deadline is October 5th through the Secretary of State’s website, and voting begins October 13th. Her ask: after you vote, call 10 friends. And yes, she confirmed she loves oxtails. She has some waiting in her freezer for the crock pot.
Advice for the Next Generation
Bottoms told young people interested in politics not to fear failure. She lost her first race and later won without a runoff. She also spoke about her father’s incarceration and how it taught her to see people beyond their mistakes. “We all have a story,” she said, “and we all need that voice reflected in office.”
Check your registration now. Make sure you’re set by October 5th, then show up and vote starting October 13th. Bring 10 friends with you.
READ MORE STORIES:
