President Trump puts ‘I did it’ sticker on gas pump, could be a call back to Biden
When gas prices hit record highs under the Biden administration, stickers with his photo and the words “I did it” were placed on gas pumps. Now they have Trump’s face.
Former President Joe Biden officially endorsed Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms in the Georgia gubernatorial race.
Bottoms, a former mayor of Atlanta, is competing against six other Democrats in the gubernatorial primary. Early voting begins Monday and continues through May 15th. Voting day is May 19th, with a required runoff election after the race scheduled for June.
Here’s what Biden said:
Endorsing Joe Biden: ‘I’ve known her for a long time’
In a video posted to YouTube on Friday, Biden said he has known Bottoms “for a long time” and that during his time as Atlanta mayor, Bottoms “faced every challenge that a leader can face.”
“Through a global pandemic, a massive cyberattack on city systems, and economic uncertainty that tested every community across Georgia, she handled it all with steady, thoughtful leadership,” Biden said. “That’s the definition of battle-hardened.”
Biden praised Bottoms’ efforts to give pay raises to first responders and create a child savings account for kindergarteners in Atlanta. He also highlighted the $180 million budget surplus that will remain after Bottoms’ term without raising property taxes in the city.
“This is a record to be proud of. And she came to the White House and served as a senior adviser. And let me tell you, the same qualities that made her a great mayor also made her invaluable to our administration,” Biden said.
Bottoms’ time in Washington, DC
Mr. Bottoms served one term as mayor of Atlanta, then served as senior advisor to the president and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
Bottoms has faced criticism for serving only one term, a point he addressed during the recent gubernatorial debate.
Bottoms chose not to run for a second term as Atlanta mayor during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to criticism that she was leaving the city behind during a difficult time. She said she made the right decision for herself and her family at the time, and that she was able to serve in the Biden administration advocating for her home state and is proud of the work she did as mayor.
When she became Atlanta’s first mayor after World War II, her decision not to run again caused consternation and has been a recurring theme among her opponents.
Who is in Georgia’s gubernatorial election?
In the Democratic primary, Bottoms is joined by former Republican lieutenant governor turned Democrat Jeff Duncan and longtime Georgia state representative Mike Thurmond, who are leading Democratic polls in the gubernatorial race. The Democratic ballot includes Ol Brown, Amanda Duffy, Derrick Jackson, and Jason Estevez, who is gaining momentum in time for the primary.
The Republican Party is led by Georgia’s current lieutenant governor, Bert Jones, who is supported by President Trump, and healthcare CEO Rick Jackson, who entered the race late due to his vast wealth. Others hoping to finish high on the ballot include Attorney General Chris Carr, Clark Dean, Greg Kirkpatrick, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Tom Williams and Ken Yasger.
Eileen Wright is an Atlanta Connect reporter for USA Today’s Deep South Connect team, covering midterm races in Georgia. X Find her at @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.
