Keisha Lance Bottoms Rallies Supporters in Athens Ahead of Election Day
Amid enthusiastic chants of “Keisha! Keisha! Keisha!” approximately 100 supporters of Keisha Lance Bottoms gathered at College Square in downtown Athens on Monday afternoon. The Democratic gubernatorial candidate visited Athens as part of a state-wide tour on the eve of Election Day.
Bottoms’ busy Monday included stops in Dalton, Crawfordville, Athens, and Augusta. Her Athens visit was the third stop of the day, where she was greeted by University of Georgia students, fellow Democratic candidates, and supporters bearing signs. The former Atlanta mayor has made several appearances in Athens this fall, including campaigning with US Senate candidate Jon Ossoff and attending a tailgate hosted by the Young Democrats of UGA.
Reflecting on her connections to Athens, Bottoms shared, “I was reminded that my grandfather’s father was born in Athens and my husband went to the University of Georgia,” prompting cheers from students. “So, just know I got a lot of love for y’all dawgs.”
Focusing on her key platforms, Bottoms emphasized raising teacher wages and improving healthcare across Georgia. She urged voters to consider which candidate aligns best with their vision for the future, stating, “Don’t look for perfection, but think about who best aligns with what you want to see for the future of your community, your family.”
With polls set to close in just over 24 hours, Bottoms is neck and neck with Republican candidate Rick Jackson in early results. She hopes that engaging young voters, particularly University of Georgia students, will be pivotal. “We’re not going to be able to win without them,” she said, expressing optimism about their participation.
The rally saw participation from various age groups, including 11-year-old Shamari Midburgs, who joined Bottoms on stage. “It was good,” Midburgs said enthusiastically, “I can’t wait to be on the news.” College students also showed support, cheering from a second-floor windowsill.
Bottoms playfully engaged with attendees, asking, “Hey there, have y’all voted?” to which they affirmed, responding, “Oh yeah.”
Former State Senator Jason Carter and Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz also addressed the crowd, urging them to vote on Election Day for Bottoms and other Democratic candidates.
With polls opening at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Bottoms remains hopeful that voter turnout will remain strong. She encouraged continued campaigning, stating, “We don’t want to get to the 1-yard line and fumble the ball,” emphasizing the importance of final efforts as the race comes to a close.
