Blue states elect Democrats who supported permanent cash handout policy as part of mayors coalition
Several former members of the Mayors for a Guaranteed Income coalition won statewide and federal offices in the recent midterm elections, with the most prominent victory being Keisha Lance Bottoms becoming Georgia's first Black woman governor.
The victories represent a significant advancement for the guaranteed income movement, which has gained momentum since launching its first pilot program in 2019. MGI President Michael D. Tubbs noted that more than 60 bills involving cash-based policies similar to guaranteed income have been introduced across 15 states, indicating growing legislative interest in direct-cash assistance programs.
State and Federal Wins
The most prominent victory came in Georgia, where MGI founding member and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was elected governor, becoming the first Black woman to lead the state. Her victory marked a significant political shift as the Georgia Governor's Mansion is projected to flip blue for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Two current MGI members also secured seats in the U.S. House of Representatives: Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss was elected to represent Illinois' 9th Congressional District, and Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti won Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District. Meanwhile, Counties for a Guaranteed Income saw two of its prominent members elected to higher office: Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller won Illinois' 2nd Congressional District, and Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando was elected Montgomery County Executive in Maryland.
Local Funding Models
As federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act expires, local governments are developing sustainable funding models for guaranteed income programs. Cook County, Illinois, previously established what officials described as the nation's first permanent guaranteed income program at the county level. To sustain the program, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved $7.5 million for guaranteed income as part of its fiscal year 2026 budget.
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