Governor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms unveiled her transition team at the state Capitol on November 6, 2026, less than three days after her historic election as the first Georgia Democrat to be elected governor in decades. Bottoms, who won by more than 8 percentage points, described the moment as the start of a new chapter for the state. She highlighted the importance of assembling a team to prepare for her January 2027 inauguration, including Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank and filmmaker Tyler Perry.
“Now the work begins,” Bottoms said at a press conference. “The decisions that we make over the next few weeks about who will lead our agencies will shape how we will deliver for all Georgians over the next four years,” she added. Bottoms referred to her transition plan as “Georgia’s Promise,” emphasizing her commitment to fulfilling campaign pledges focused on affordability, healthcare access, and public education.
Bottoms stated that she had spoken with outgoing Republican Governor Brian Kemp, who offered assistance in the transition. Kemp’s office confirmed they had discussed the transition but provided no further details. Kemp announced he would not call a special session to curtail Bottoms’ powers or redraw political maps, though he left open the possibility of addressing “budgetary issues” in January.
Bottoms will inherit a state with diminished reserves, having dropped from $14.6 billion to $8.7 billion. She cited her experience managing Atlanta’s budget during the pandemic and expressed confidence in addressing fiscal challenges. “Show me your budget, and I’ll show you your priorities,” she said, emphasizing her focus on reducing the cost of living.
Bottoms also reflected on the historic nature of her election, noting her husband’s perspective on the significance of being the first Black woman governor in the nation. “I don’t take that lightly,” she said, expressing gratitude for the milestone and hope that it would inspire young people across Georgia.
