Governor-Elect Bottoms: Housing and healthcare are the top priorities for her first term

Keisha Lance Bottoms was so focused on writing her victory speech that her husband had to throw a pillow at her to announce the win. She was listening to gospel music on her AirPods and did not realize the race had been called until her son Langston rushed into the room to confirm the result. "I said, called what? He said, they called the race. I said, what race?" Bottoms recalled during an interview with Rickey Smiley. She admitted she had expected a much longer evening and was still working on her remarks when her family told her she had won.

The incoming governor credited her family with keeping her grounded during the campaign. Her husband of 32 years and their four children remain central to her daily life. Even on election day, she noted that her children still needed her to iron pants and schedule a car service appointment. She said their perspectives helped her connect with voters aged 18 to 24 by teaching her to listen more and speak less.

Affordability is the central focus of her agenda for the state of Georgia. Bottoms identified housing, healthcare costs, and the rising cost of living as her top priorities. She plans to expand and fully fund a statewide affordable housing trust fund. This program is modeled after an initiative she established while serving as mayor of Atlanta. The fund will provide rental assistance, down payment assistance, and support for affordable housing units.

"When people are struggling, people need to be housed, and they need to be housed with dignity," Bottoms said. She described her relationship with outgoing Governor Brian Kemp as pleasant despite their political differences. She welcomed his decision not to call a special legislative session to redraw political districts or limit the powers of the incoming administration.

A personal moment of reflection occurred the day before the election when Bottoms visited her childhood church. She discovered the grave of her great-great-grandmother, Betsy Peek, who was born in 1845 before the end of slavery. Bottoms said finding the grave reminded her of the generations who came before her. "It was like she was speaking to me saying, baby, you, you're standing on some steel shoulders made of steel. You got this," she shared.

Bottoms also honored her late father, Major Lance, a Grammy-nominated singer. She said his example taught her the importance of humility, kindness, and giving others a chance. She noted that he encouraged her to aim high and never be afraid to ask for an opportunity. "Georgia understood the assignment," Bottoms said, adding that the excitement of election night now has to turn into meaningful work for the state.

The interview concluded with a lighter segment where Bottoms revealed she enjoys watching Real Housewives and Married to Medicine. She stated that she makes good macaroni and cheese and refuses to give up her faith. She expressed pride in the voters who helped make history in the recent election.