Athens, Ga — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms made a campaign stop at the University of Georgia Saturday, meeting with students and parents and discussing issues she says are important to young voters as the November election approaches.
Bottoms spoke with WGXA Reporter Carlos Stephens in Athens about the role young voters could play in the election and the importance of listening to their concerns.
Bottoms said students raised concerns about access to mental health services, the potential impact of artificial intelligence on future job opportunities and the rising cost of living, including housing, rent and groceries.
She said expanding access to mental health services should include support for students and their families.
When asked about solutions for students struggling with housing costs, Bottoms pointed to her proposal to expand an affordable housing trust fund throughout Georgia.
“I also talk about what we can do to help our students get ready to enter the workforce and just making sure we are expanding access to mental health services and making sure our young people have a seat at the table,” Bottoms told WGXA. “They are leaders in their own right and we need their voices and we need their input.”
Bottoms also encouraged students to make sure they are registered to vote ahead of the October 5 registration deadline.
According to the Georgia Secretary of State’s 2026 election calendar, October 5 is the deadline to register to vote for the November general election. Advance voting begins October 13 and runs through October 30. Election Day is November 3.
Bottoms also used the campaign stop to draw a contrast between herself and Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson.
“Your vote is your voice,” Bottoms said. “And if you care about the future of this state, if you want us to do better as a state, if you are tired of the policies coming from the Trump administration, I am your candidate for governor.”
Bottoms also criticized Jackson, saying he has described himself as wanting to be “Trump with a Southern tone” and that he has said he does not disagree with any Trump administration policies.
WGXA reached out to Jackson’s campaign for a response to Bottoms’ remarks. We had not received a response at the time of publication.
The mayor of Athens also spoke to students in support of Bottoms during the campaign event. The mayor described the 2026 election as a critical year for Georgia and criticized Republican governors who have led the state since 2002.
The mayor pointed to concerns including health care access, the economic condition of small towns and environmental issues before encouraging voters to support Bottoms.
The mayor also highlighted Bottoms’ experience as a former Atlanta mayor and her work in the White House supporting cities across the country.
Bottoms is running against Jackson in the November 3 general election to replace Gov. Brian Kemp. Early voting begins October 13.
Source: wgxa.tv
