Bottoms Takes Georgia; Jeffries Set to Lead House as Democrats Surge
The Democratic midterm gains have altered the executive branch in Georgia and the legislative leadership in Washington, while labor data shows a slight uptick in hiring.
By Grace Almasi ·
Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Republican Rick Jackson on Tuesday night to become Georgia’s 84th chief executive. The former Atlanta mayor is the first Black woman elected to a statewide constitutional office in the state. Her victory gives her the authority to pursue three specific campaign promises: expanding Medicaid coverage, reducing housing costs, and fully funding the state’s schools.
The statehouse change occurred within a larger national trend. Democrats gained control of the U.S. House of Representatives during the midterm elections. This shift places Hakeem Jeffries, the congressman from New York, in line to become the first Black Speaker of the House. He is scheduled to take the gavel in January. Holding that position would make him second in line to the presidency.
The political shift is evident in the current legislative balance. The Republican Party is preparing for a loss of seats that observers describe as a midterm wipeout. The Democratic gains are occurring even in states that historically vote Republican, particularly in the South. The election results position Jeffries to lead the lower chamber of Congress starting next year.
Labor market data released alongside the election news shows a modest improvement in hiring. U.S. job openings rose to 7.5 million in September, up from 7.19 million in August. This is the highest level of openings since May. Layoffs fell during the same period. The official October jobs report is scheduled for release on Friday. Economists project the report will show 65,000 new jobs added, with the national unemployment rate remaining at 4.2%.
A separate educational milestone took place on October 16 in Illinois. Eighteen incarcerated women earned bachelor’s degrees through Northwestern University’s prison education program. This was the first time a top-rated American research university awarded degrees to incarcerated women. The ceremony was held at the Kiwani Life Skills Reentry Center. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered the commencement address for the graduates.
