Georgia Governor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms has named filmmaker and entertainment mogul Tyler Perry as a co-chair of her transition team, bringing one of Atlanta’s most influential entertainment figures into the process of preparing her administration to lead the state.
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Bottoms announced the appointments on Friday, November 6, during a news conference at the Georgia State Capitol, just three days after her historic election victory.
The transition initiative, called Georgia’s Promise, will help the incoming governor assemble her administration, identify policy priorities, and prepare for her first day in office in January 2027.
Perry joins an influential group of business executives, political leaders, and community figures selected to guide the transition. Other co-chairs include Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank, former Walgreens Boots Alliance CEO Rosalind Brewer, Carter Center board chair Jason Carter, nonprofit leader Michelle Nunn, and business executive Vicki Palmer.
John King, who previously served as chief operating officer during Bottoms’ administration as Atlanta mayor, will lead the transition operation in the same capacity.
Tyler Perry’s appointment brings a familiar Atlanta powerhouse into Georgia’s political landscape. The filmmaker has spent decades building an entertainment empire in the state, establishing Atlanta as a major production destination through his films, television projects, and Tyler Perry Studios.
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His influence extends well beyond entertainment. Perry’s business investments have created opportunities for actors, production crews, and other workers across the entertainment industry. His philanthropic efforts have also included financial assistance to families and individuals facing economic hardship.
Now, his involvement will extend into the planning of a new state administration.
Although Perry has been named a transition co-chair, the announcement does not mean he will hold a permanent government position. Transition teams typically help incoming governors review state operations, evaluate potential appointments, and establish priorities before taking office.
Bottoms has not publicly detailed Perry’s individual responsibilities within the group.
The appointment follows a groundbreaking election for Georgia.
On November 3, Bottoms defeated Republican businessman Rick Jackson, becoming the first Black woman ever elected governor in American history. She also became the first Democrat to win Georgia’s governor’s race since 1998.
Her victory followed a campaign centered on affordability, health care access, education, and economic opportunity.
During Friday’s announcement, Bottoms outlined several issues her administration intends to address, including expanding Medicaid, reviewing the state’s financial outlook, and improving access to mental health services.
She also discussed examining policies surrounding data center development and making health care more affordable for Georgia residents.
Bottoms confirmed that she had spoken with outgoing Governor Brian Kemp, who offered administrative resources to support an orderly transfer of power.
The incoming governor will face the challenge of translating campaign promises into policy while working with state lawmakers and navigating budget constraints.
For Tyler Perry, the new role places him alongside established political and business leaders during a historic moment for Georgia.
His selection also connects the state’s growing entertainment industry with discussions about its next chapter of leadership.
Additional transition appointments, policy advisers, and senior staff members are expected to be announced in the coming days as Bottoms prepares to become Georgia’s 84th governor.
