Georgia gubernatorial candidate misstates cash bail rules for felons
Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms expressed concern over cash-bail reforms while incorrectly claiming they do not apply to felonies, according to leaked audio.
Leaked audio reveals Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Keisha Lance Bottoms voicing strong opposition to President Donald Trump's executive order targeting cash-bail practices for violent criminals, citing concerns for poor defendants. During the same discussion, Bottoms mistakenly claimed that cash-bail bonds are not applicable to felonies, despite Georgia statutes permitting cash bail for such crimes. The recording also notes her criticism that cash bail decisions are tied to a person's ability to pay rather than public safety.
While mayor, Bottoms enacted a local ordinance eliminating cash bail for low-level offenses like begging and public drunkenness. She now prepares to contest Republican Rick Jackson in the November 3 election. Her office did not respond to requests for comment.
Why it matters
Voters need to know if a candidate fully understands the criminal-justice policies she would oversee.
In this story
