ATLANTA >> Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms took a big step Monday toward running for governor of Georgia in 2026, about four years after the Democrat broke Atlanta tradition by skipping a second mayoral run.

Although she hasn’t officially announced she’s entered the race, Bottoms filed the necessary paperwork Monday to raise money to campaign for governor and has repeatedly signaled she’s interested. Two other high-profile potential candidates have decided not to run, creating uncertainty over who will emerge as a top contender.

As one of former President Joe Biden’s early supporters, she was among the Black women considered to be his running mate.

— The Associated Press