Obama featured in videos boosting Bottoms, Ossoff in Georgia

Keisha Lance Bottoms’ campaign for governor got a boost Thursday with a heavyweight endorsement from former President Barack Obama.

In a video released Thursday, Obama praised Bottoms’ record as the former mayor of Atlanta and touted some of the Democrat’s campaign promises, saying that “there is a lot at stake in this election.” 

“Keisha believes that public service is about putting you first. She’s invested in young people. Delivered historic pay raises for police officers and firefighters and balanced the budget without raising taxes,” Obama said. “Now, Keisha has a plan to lower costs, expand Medicaid, strengthen rural hospitals and give communities the option to eliminate grocery taxes. And as a mom of four, Keisha understands the importance of giving every child a strong start. And that’s why she’ll work to guarantee pre-K for every 4-year-old.”

An ad featuring Obama making the case for Sen. Jon Ossoff’s reelection was also released Thursday. Ossoff, who is the only Democratic senator on the ballot this year in a state President Donald Trump won in 2024, faces U.S. Rep. Mike Collins in November.

The video plugs are part of an uptick in the former Democratic president’s political activity ahead of the November midterms. On the same day, Obama endorsed Democrat Troy Jackson’s bid to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in Maine.

Bottoms will face Republican Rick Jackson, a healthcare executive and billionaire, to become Georgia’s next governor in November. Early voting starts Tuesday, Oct. 13. 

Gov. Brian Kemp, who is a Republican, is term-limited and can’t seek reelection. The race is virtually tied according to recent polling, with Jackson slightly ahead but still within the margin of error.

Rick Jackson was endorsed by President Trump in July after Trump’s preferred candidate, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, lost the Republican primary. The GOP nominee for governor also appeared alongside Trump at an event in July. Jackson often invoked Trump’s name at campaign events earlier in his campaign, saying he would be Trump’s “favorite governor” and that he would be like Trump but with a “Southern tone.” 

But Jackson has since distanced himself from the president while moderating his stances and aligning himself more with Kemp. At a recent hourlong debate, Jackson did not mention Trump and instead tied himself to Kemp. 

“I will stand up to anybody, just like Brian Kemp has done. He works with both parties, both presidents, and he stands up when he disagrees,” Jackson said. 

At the same debate, Bottoms frequently tried to tie Jackson to Trump, who is currently facing record low approval ratings.

“My opponent has said he wants to be Trump’s favorite governor. He wants to be Trump with a Southern tone. He said there’s not a single policy that he disagrees with Trump on … I will stand up to Donald Trump when necessary. I’m not running to be his favorite governor. I’m running to work on behalf of people like you,” Bottoms said at the debate.