For the first time in the US, a Black woman has become a state governor
The former mayor of the city of Atlanta won the election in Georgia. She was previously a senior advisor to Joe Biden.
First Black woman becomes state governor in the US
In the US, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms won the election for governor of Georgia. Thus, on November 3, she became the first Black woman elected governor in the United States.
This result brought major success to the Democratic Party in one of the country's most important political arenas. It is reported that Bottoms, a former mayor of Atlanta, defeated Republican businessman Rick Jackson.
Bottoms replaces Republican Governor Brian Kemp, who served two consecutive terms in office. The 56-year-old Bottoms previously served as a senior advisor to former US President Joe Biden and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
This victory marked a new stage for Black women in American politics. They have long been the main backbone of the Democratic Party, but were underrepresented in the country's high offices.
On the same day, Stacey Plaskett was elected governor of the Virgin Islands, a US territory. She became the first Black woman to be a governor under United States jurisdiction.
In Florida, US House of Representatives member, Republican Byron Donalds, was elected governor. Donalds became the first Black Republican man elected governor in the US.
Bottoms' victory also marked a sharp turn in Georgia state politics. In this state, previously a strong Republican stronghold, Black voters had become a central part of the Democratic coalition. Republicans had controlled the Georgia governor's office for more than 20 years.