Four Black women are stepping into — or preparing for — gubernatorial races across the U.S. South ahead of the 2026 election cycle.
Moves that could significantly reshape political landscapes in some of the region’s most closely watched states and expand representation at the highest levels of state government.
In Georgia, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has confirmed she is running for governor, instantly elevating the race’s national profile.
Bottoms, who served two terms as mayor of Atlanta and later held a senior role in the Biden administration, enters the contest with deep name recognition, national fundraising networks, and a political resume closely watched by Democrats nationwide.
In Alabama, Yolanda Flowers, the Democratic nominee in the state’s 2022 gubernatorial race, is signaling a comeback.
Her campaign messaging has increasingly pointed toward a 2026 run, positioning Flowers as a familiar figure seeking to build on her previous statewide campaign in a deeply Republican state where Democrats face long odds but aim to expand voter engagement and turnout.
Tennessee has also joined the list, with Dr. Carnita Atwater officially filing to run for governor as a Democrat.
Her candidacy comes ahead of the state’s 2026 primary and adds to growing efforts by Democrats to challenge Republican dominance in statewide offices. Atwater’s campaign message centers on education, healthcare access, and economic equity, issues that remain central to Democratic messaging across the South.
In Florida, Dayna Marie Foster has launched a gubernatorial campaign focused on government accountability and systemic reform.
Her bid enters a crowded and high-stakes political environment in one of the nation’s most influential swing states, where gubernatorial races often draw national attention and major political spending.
Taken together, the candidacies highlight a broader trend of Black women seeking executive leadership roles in Southern politics — a region with a long history of voter suppression, racialized political power structures, and underrepresentation in statewide offices. While each race presents unique challenges, political observers note that these campaigns could energize Democratic bases, shape policy debates, and influence turnout dynamics even in states where winning statewide office remains difficult.
As the 2026 cycle begins to take shape, the presence of multiple Black women in gubernatorial races underscores shifting political strategies across the South and the continued push to broaden representation in American politics.
Gubernatorial Candidates by State
- Keisha Lance Bottoms — Georgia
- Yolanda Flowers — Alabama
- Dr. Carnita Atwater — Tennessee
- Dayna Marie Foster — Florida
