Keisha Lance Bottoms

Signed an executive order requiring masks in public across Atlanta, including Hartsfield-Jackson airport. The order made exceptions for young children, eating, driving and some medical conditions.

July 8, 2020Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: ajc.com · researched August 20, 2026

Introduced a package of transparency bills to the Atlanta City Council as mayor. The package created a city transparency officer for open-records compliance, limited use of city credit cards, and set up registration for people who lobby the city.

August 20, 2018Supports Anti-Corruption

Source: atlantaga.gov · researched August 20, 2026

Resigned as executive director of the Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority, effective April 14, 2017, while still serving on the city council. Critics had said holding both paid jobs was double-dipping, and she had recused herself from council votes on the authority.

March 23, 2017Supports Anti-Corruption

Source: ajc.com · researched August 20, 2026

As a city councilmember, asked Atlanta's technology managers to study building a single city app so residents could request non-emergency services from a phone.

April 24, 2017Supports Government Efficiency

Source: citycouncil.atlantaga.gov · researched August 20, 2026

Ordered Atlanta police to calm situations before using force, days after officers killed Rayshard Brooks. The orders also made officers step in to stop other officers from using excessive force.

June 15, 2020Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: npr.org · researched August 20, 2026

Supported Atlanta's stricter panhandling law as a city councilmember; the council passed it 14-0 on October 1, 2012. She said the law was not heartless because judges gained power to send people to social services.

October 1, 2012Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: ajc.com · researched August 20, 2026

Ordered Atlanta police to calm situations before using force, days after officers killed Rayshard Brooks. The orders also made officers step in to stop other officers from using excessive force.

June 15, 2020Supports Civil Rights

Source: npr.org · researched August 20, 2026

Signed an executive order as mayor telling Atlanta's jail to stop accepting federal immigration detainees. She also asked that the five detainees then held there be moved elsewhere.

September 6, 2018Supports Civil Rights

Source: gpb.org · researched August 20, 2026

Was endorsed for governor of Georgia by former United States Attorney General Eric Holder on August 2, 2026. Holder, who founded the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, tied the endorsement to guarding against partisan and racial gerrymanders in Georgia.

August 2, 2026

Source: cbsnews.com · researched September 5, 2026

Received the endorsement of former President Joe Biden in the Georgia governor's race.

May 1, 2026

Source: 41nbc.com · researched August 20, 2026

Was endorsed for governor of Georgia by EMILYs List, which raises money for Democratic women candidates who support abortion rights, on December 4, 2025.

December 4, 2025

Source: emilyslist.org · researched September 5, 2026

Was endorsed for governor of Georgia by Higher Heights for America, a political action committee that supports Black women candidates, on October 21, 2025.

October 21, 2025

Source: higherheightsforamericapac.org · researched September 5, 2026

Was appointed White House senior adviser for public engagement by President Joe Biden.

June 15, 2022

Source: presidency.ucsb.edu · researched August 20, 2026

Was sued by Georgia's governor over Atlanta's mask requirement and the city's return to stricter coronavirus limits. The governor withdrew the case on August 13, 2020 after settlement talks reached a stalemate, and said he would issue a new state order instead. The mask requirement stayed in place.

July 16, 2020

Source: ajc.com · researched August 20, 2026

Agreed to pay a $37,000 state ethics fine over her 2017 mayoral campaign's finances. The campaign admitted taking $6,900 above donation limits and $110,797 more that broke other state rules.

January 7, 2021

Source: wsbtv.com · researched August 20, 2026