FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 Monday, April 27, 2026

CONTACT: press@keishaforgovernor.com

ATLANTA — At today’s gubernatorial debate hosted by the Atlanta Press Club, Democratic candidate for governor Keisha Lance Bottoms shared her plans to lower costs, invest in education at every level, and expand access to affordable health care as governor.

During the debate, Bottoms highlighted her record of delivering for Georgians:

“I've worn many professional hats: Senior Advisor to the President, Mayor, City Council, Member and judge, but the most important title that I will ever have is as mother, and I think about the state that I want my children to be able to call home,” Bottoms said in the debate today. “I am running not just for my family, but for yours as well. When I was Mayor of Atlanta, I fought on behalf of Atlanta, but I also fought on behalf of all Georgians, and it is what I will do each and every day as I wake up as governor of this state, because not only will I be fighting for my family, but yours as well.”

On Bottoms’ priorities as governor:

“We need leaders who will focus on expanding Medicaid, improving education in our state, cracking down on corporate landlords, supporting small businesses and working to make sure that our children have the best opportunity to succeed,” said Bottoms. “I've spoken with Georgians around this state, and no matter where we are, we are all asking for the same things. We want life to be better for our families and our communities.”

On lowering costs for Georgians:

“The affordability issue is a topic that comes up with every single stop that I've made across this state. One of the things that I know that we can do immediately is to invest in infrastructure and administrative support — for rural counties, especially. I've heard this from home builders, who said it's more challenging for them to build affordable and workforce housing in rural communities because of the lack of infrastructure and the lack of consistency in trying to get things such as building permits,” said Bottoms. “Secondly, it said that health is wealth. Medicaid expansion is the number one priority on day one, I'll make sure that our state agencies are prepared to expand Medicaid in the state. We have nine rural hospitals that have closed in this state. [I'll] also make sure that we raise eligibility in this state to 138% of the poverty level.

On investing in Georgians’ education from pre-school to college:

“The current state funding formula was written while I was still in the marching band at Frederick Douglass High School. Since then, education has only been fully funded three times in this state. We must fully fund education in this state. I would also like for us to begin school at kindergarten, and not first grade, as it currently stands. I want to fully fund pre-K for every child in this state. I will ask voters to vote on casino gambling in this state as an opportunity for additional funding revenue in the same way the lottery changed education funding in this state,” said Bottoms. “Lastly, free technical and community college in this state. My mother went back to cosmetology school when I was young to help care for her family. It is a difference maker.”

Background

Bottoms has announced plans to lower health care costs and invest in Georgians’ education. Earlier this month, she announced her CARE Plan for a Healthier Georgia which will expand Medicaid, protect rural hospitals, and prevent Georgians who rely on the ACA from losing health care coverage by pursuing targeted premium support.

Keisha also recently announced her plan to guarantee pre-K access to every 4-year old in Georgia and require full-day kindergarten for Georgia students.

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