Biden backs Keisha Lance Bottoms for Georgia governor in his first endorsement since leaving office - BERITAJA

Former President Joe Biden connected Friday backed erstwhile Atlanta politician Keisha Lance Bottoms' run for politician successful Georgia, his first endorsement since leaving agency past year.

"I've known her for a agelong time, and she's thing special," Biden said successful a video backing the erstwhile mayor, who served arsenic a elder advisor successful the Biden administration.

Biden added successful the video that the "same qualities that made her a awesome politician made her invaluable to our administration." He called Bottoms "smart" and "focused" and said she "gets things done."

"Georgia, she's ready. She's been ready," said the erstwhile president, who included Bottoms connected a short database of imaginable vice statesmanlike moving mates successful 2020.

Bottoms is moving successful a crowded Democratic superior field, which besides includes erstwhile Georgia authorities Sen. Jason Esteves, erstwhile authorities labour commissioner and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who served arsenic a Republican but later switched parties.

Bottoms has held a lead successful nationalist polling successful the race, but it's unclear whether she'll garner much than 50% of the ballot and debar a runoff aft the May 19 primary.

Whoever wins the Democratic superior information will spell connected to look the eventual GOP gubernatorial nominee.

Georgia, a battleground authorities successful national elections, skews much Republican statewide and hasn't elected a Democrat to beryllium politician since 1999, erstwhile erstwhile Gov. Roy Barnes won and served until 2003.

In 2018, Democrat Stacey Abrams came wrong little than 2 percent points of winning the Georgia gubernatorial title against Brian Kemp, who is now governor. Kemp hit her again successful a 2022 rematch predetermination by much than seven percent points.

The Republican superior section is besides crowded and improbable to debar a runoff. Businessman Rick Jackson and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones presently lead the title successful nationalist polling, but Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and authorities lawyer wide Chris Carr are besides running. Kemp is term-limited.