EXCLUSIVE: Keisha Lance Bottoms On Her Plans to Lower Costs for Georgians as Governor In Episode 3 of ‘What’s Popular?’
With Georgia’s governor’s race heating up, Keisha Lance Bottoms wants to give Georgians some financial breathing room, if elected. And that starts with lowering everyday costs, cutting or suspending grocery taxes, eliminating taxes on diapers, addressing rising insurance costs, and more.
The Democratic gubernatorial candidate recently detailed her proposed policies and agenda during her exclusive interview with The Root’s publisher Ashley Allison for the third episode of our “What’s Popular?” series, where she also took aim at billionaire opponent Rick Jackson, laid out her vision for investing in communities, and explained why Black voters can’t afford to sit this election out. Check out the full episode here.
During their chat, Bottoms shared parts of her game plan to address the concerns Georgians have, especially when it comes to the high cost of living. To do that, she’ll introduce concrete policies that can move the needle, like legislation that would either end or suspend grocery taxes, end taxes on diapers and feminine hygiene products, and usher in improvements on things like auto and homeowners insurance, and more.
Related: Inside Black Men’s Campaign to Get Keisha Lance Bottoms Elected
She also explained her desire to help her constituents keep money in their pockets and see an increase in their paychecks as living expenses rise and affordable housing options decline. Unlike her opponent, billionaire Rick Jackson, who “weaponized his money” to essentially try to buy the election and is seemingly only interested in making himself more money, Bottoms is focused on meeting the needs of those she represents and putting things in place that would benefit them and relieve their worries—not line her bank account.
“I don’t begrudge the fact that he’s a billionaire. I do have a problem with the way he has weaponized his money and tried to buy this election and the way that he’s gotten his money,” she said, disproving his non-compete, non-bid agreements.
“We have to be thoughtful, and we’ve got to listen to people when they tell us that they are hurting. And when they’re asking, ‘What can you do to make a difference?’ It may not be that we have the big perfect solution. But it’s how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How do we move the needle and just give people some relief?” Bottoms said.
At the heart of her plans, she later explained, is the desire to leave a lasting impact on the community in a way that shows forward progression. Thankfully, her time as mayor serves as a vital stepping stone into pushing for the necessary policies that’ll advance the lived experience of Georgians and their unique needs.
“When we invest in community, it impacts generations. And it is a lasting impact…I know the things that have been successful; I know the things that we need to tweak. And it’s not necessarily this one-size-fits-all,” she told Allison.
Elsewhere in the interview, she stressed the importance of voting and urged Black folks to do their part and not pass over the “sacred” right to vote. Invoking the memory and legacy of the late John Lewis, Bottoms beseeched those living in her state to show up to the polls and exercise the voice that they have, and to vote for the change they want to see.
“We’ve got to have a seat at the table and not sit this election out because elections matter,” Bottoms told Allison. “The ability that we have right now to push back, right now is to show up and vote.”
What’s more, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate also dished on her memoir, “The Rough Side of the Mountain,” which dropped in April 2026. In it, she details personal struggles, like seeing her father arrested at a young age, sexual abuse, health struggles, how she overcame them, and how they formed the strong and formidable woman she is today.
Tune in to The Root’s YouTube to watch the full interview.
