Keisha Lance Bottoms Picks Tyler Perry for Georgia Transition Team Amid Lawsuits

Keisha Lance Bottoms won the 2026 Georgia gubernatorial election on Tuesday night, making history as the first Black woman elected governor of any U.S. state and Georgia's first Black governor. Bottoms previously served as the mayor of Atlanta, a member of Atlanta City Council, and a senior advisor and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement under former President Biden. During a press conference early Friday, Bottoms announced entertainment mogul and studio owner Tyler Perry as part of her transition team, praising him as a major philanthropic part of the Georgia community. This choice is controversial due to recent sexual assault lawsuits against the filmmaker. Actor Derek Dixon filed a lawsuit against Perry in June of last year, alleging Perry subjected him to sexual battery and assault starting in 2021. Dixon claims Perry used his power to abuse vulnerable actors and is seeking $260 million in damages and a jury trial. In December 2025, actor Mario Rodriguez filed a separate $77 million sexual battery lawsuit against Perry and distributor Lionsgate, accusing Perry of assault and Lionsgate of ignoring the behavior, though text messages between Rodriguez and Perry emerged later.

Context

Transition teams help newly elected leaders prepare to take charge of government agencies and set policy priorities before officially starting office. Keisha Lance Bottoms is scheduled to take office as Georgia's 84th governor on January 11, 2027.