2026 Georgia gubernatorial election

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2026 Georgia gubernatorial election
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Party Republican Democratic
Incumbent Governor

Brian Kemp
Republican



The 2026 Georgia gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Georgia. Incumbent Republican governor Brian Kemp is ineligible for a third term as per the Georgia Constitution. [1]

Contents

Background

Though Georgia is currently a purple state at the federal level (having voted very close to the nation as a whole in Donald Trump's 2024 win, with Georgia voting for Trump by 2.2% while having two Democratic Senators), it continues to maintain a slight to moderate red lean at the state level, with Republicans holding all state seats between 5-10% in the 2022 midterms despite the year overall being somewhat favorable to Democrats, in which Governor Brian Kemp was re-elected against Democrat Stacey Abrams by 7.5% and with 53.4% of the vote, [2] a considerable increase from his 1.3-point victory against Abrams four years earlier. Republicans also control both houses of the Georgia Legislature.

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Publicly expressed interest

Potential

Declined

Polling

Hypothetical polling
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Chris
Carr		Burt
Jones		Undecided
20/20 Insight [10] September 25–28, 2023245 (LV)± 6.3%9%18%73%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

  • Olujimi Brown, church founder [11]

Formed exploratory committee

Publicly expressed interest

Potential

Polling

Hypothetical polling
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Stacey
Abrams		OtherUndecided
20/20 Insight [10] September 25–28, 2023247 (LV)± 6.2%52%34%14%

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [16] TossupJanuary 23, 2025
Inside Elections [17] BattlegroundFebruary 6, 2025

Notes

  1. 1 2 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear

See also

References

  1. ↑ Van Brimmer, Adam (January 15, 2023). "Kemp inauguration: Governor's bid for higher office begins. Will it be Senate? President?". Savannah Morning News . Archived from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  2. ↑ Bluestein, Greg (March 16, 2023). "Abrams says she will 'likely run again.' That doesn't excite some Democrats". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . ISSN   1539-7459 . Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  3. ↑ Bluestein, Greg (November 21, 2024). "Georgia AG Chris Carr launches GOP campaign for governor, kicking off 2026 race". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  4. ↑ Bluestein, Greg; Mitchell, Tia; Murphy, Patricia; Beam, Adam (February 7, 2025). "Marjorie Taylor Greene doesn't rule out run for governor or U.S. Senate". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  5. ↑ Dukes, Deidra (November 7, 2024). "Attention shifts to 2026 Georgia state elections following November vote outcome". WAGA-TV . Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  6. ↑ Bluestein, Greg; Mitchell, Tia; Murphy, Patricia; Beam, Adam (February 28, 2025). "Georgia teachers might get the same benefits as police officers". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved February 3, 2025. [Buddy] Carter has $3 million in his campaign fund and has talked about a statewide run in the next election cycle, either for the U.S. Senate or governor.
  7. ↑ King, Maya (November 21, 2024). "The 2026 Georgia Governor's Race Kicks Off With a First Hat in the Ring". The New York Times . Retrieved November 26, 2024. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, a close Trump ally, and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger have been widely regarded as possible contenders.
  8. ↑ Solender, Andrew (December 12, 2024). "GOP Rep. Ciscomani passes on run for Arizona governor". Axios . Retrieved December 12, 2024. Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) is not considering a run for Senate or governor and his 'focused on and happy serving [Northeast] GA in the House,' a spokesperson said.
  9. ↑ Daughtry, Will (February 6, 2025). "Amid primary challenge, Rep. Andrew Clyde talks 2026 reelection bid". WDUN-FM . Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  10. 1 2 20/20 Insight
  11. ↑ Poole, Shelia (August 29, 2024). "Impact Church's former pastor, Olu Brown, announces bid for Georgia governor". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  12. ↑ Bluestein, Greg (March 5, 2025). "Lucy McBath makes opening move in 2026 race for Georgia governor". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . ISSN   1539-7459 . Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  13. ↑ Bluestein, Greg; Bunch, Riley (January 23, 2025). "Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms considers bid for Georgia governor". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  14. 1 2 "Former Sen. Jason Carter talks about political future during podcast". WAGA-TV . December 5, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  15. 1 2 Bluestein, Greg; Mitchell, Tia; Murphy, Patricia; Beam, Adam (February 10, 2025). "Jason Esteves preparing for a potential run for governor in 2026". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  16. ↑ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved February 7, 2025.

Official campaign websites

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