2026 United States Senate election in Georgia

For related races, see 2026 United States Senate elections.

2026 United States Senate election in Georgia

←  2020–21 November 3, 2026 2032 →

Party Democratic Republican

Incumbent U.S. senator Jon Ossoff Democratic

The 2026 United States Senate election in Georgia will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Georgia. A runoff election is to be held on December 1, 2026 if no candidate gets a majority. Primaries will be held on May 19, 2026, with runoff elections on June 16, 2026 if no candidate gets a majority in the primary. Incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, first elected in 2021, is running for election to a second term in office. Several Republicans have indicated interest in running, including U.S. Representatives Buddy Carter, Rich McCormick, and Mike Collins; state agriculture commissioner Tyler Harper; and state insurance commissioner John F. King. Republican Governor Brian Kemp was seen as a major contender, but announced in May 2025 that he would not run.

Along with Michigan, this will be one of two Democratic-held Senate seats up for election in 2026 in a state that Donald Trump won in the 2024 presidential election, winning 51% of the vote against Kamala Harris's 49%.

Background

Georgia is considered to be a purple or swing state at the federal level. It was a top battleground state in the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections.

Both parties have seen success in the state in recent years. The state backed Joe Biden by 0.24% and Donald Trump by 2.2%, respectively in 2020 and 2024. Democrats hold both of Georgia's U.S. Senate seats. Republicans hold all statewide executive offices, control both chambers of the legislature, and hold a majority in Georgia's U.S. House delegation. ^[1]

As one of only two seats up held by a Democrat in a state that voted for Trump in 2024, the race is expected to be competitive. ^[2]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Jon Ossoff, incumbent U.S. Senator (2021–present) ^[3]

Endorsements

Jon Ossoff

U.S. senators

• Raphael Warnock, U.S. Senator from Georgia (2021–present) ^[4]

U.S representatives

• Gabby Giffords, U.S. representative from Arizona's 8th congressional district (2007–2012) ^[5]

Organizations

• End Citizens United ^[6]
• League of Conservation Voters ^[7]
• J Street ^[8]

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Candidate	Raised	Spent	Cash on hand
Jon Ossoff (D)	$54,052,215	$37,028,736	$21,355,212
Source: Federal Election Commission [9]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Reagan Box, horse trainer ^[10]
• Buddy Carter, U.S. representative from Georgia's 1st congressional district (2015–present) ^[11]
• Mike Collins, U.S. representative from Georgia's 10th congressional district (2023–present) ^[12]
• Derek Dooley, former Tennessee Volunteers football head coach ^[13]

Filed paperwork

• Christoph Chapman ^[14]
• Christina Clement ^[15]
• Jonathan McColumn, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022 ^[16]
• Rick Temple ^[17]
• Vinson "Vince" Watkins (also filed to run for Georgia's 8th congressional district) ^[18]

Formed exploratory committee

• Colton Moore, state senator from the 53rd district (2023–present) ^[19]

Publicly expressed interest

• Rick Allen, U.S. Representative from Georgia's 12th congressional district (2015–present) ^[20]

Potential

• Doug Collins, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (2025–present), former U.S. representative from Georgia’s 9th congressional district (2013–2021), and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020 ^[21]
• Greg Dolezal, state senator (2019–present) ^[22]
• Brian Jack, U.S. representative from Georgia's 3rd congressional district (2025–present) ^[23]
• Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the Small Business Administration (2025–present) and former U.S. senator (2020–2021) ^[24]

Withdrawn

• John King, Georgia Insurance Commissioner (2019–present) (running for re-election) ^[25]

Declined

• Andrew Clyde, U.S. representative from Georgia's 9th congressional district (2021–present) ^[26] (running for re-election) ^[27]
• Marjorie Taylor Greene, U.S. representative from Georgia's 14th congressional district (2021–present) ^[28]
• Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia (2019–present) ^[29] (endorsed Dooley) ^[30]
• Rich McCormick, U.S. representative from Georgia's 7th congressional district (2023–present) ^[31]
• Brad Raffensperger, Georgia Secretary of State (2019–present) (running for governor) ^[32]

Endorsements

Buddy Carter

State legislators

• Eric Johnson, state senator from the 1st district (1995–2009) ^[33]

Mike Collins

U.S. representatives

• Max Burns, state senator from the 23rd district (2021–present) and former U.S. representative from Georgia's 12th congressional district (2003–2005) ^[34]
• Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (1995–1999) from Georgia's 6th congressional district (1979–1999) ^[35]
• Burgess Owens, U.S. representative from Utah's 4th congressional district (2021–present) ^[36]
• Derrick Van Orden, U.S. representative from Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district (2023–present) ^[37]

State legislators

• 18 state legislators ^[a]

Organizations

• New York Young Republican Club ^[38]

Derek Dooley

Statewide officials

• Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia (2019–present) ^[30]

Brian Kemp (declined)

U.S. senators

• Tim Scott, U.S. Senator from South Carolina (2013–present) ^[39]

U.S. representatives

• Mike Collins, U.S. representative from Georgia's 10th congressional district (2023–present)(entered race in July 2025) ^[39]

Local officials

• Erick Erickson, former Macon city councilor (2007–2011) ^[39]

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Candidate	Raised	Spent	Cash on hand
Reagan Box (R)	$84,666	$81,343	$3,890
Buddy Carter (R)	$4,534,851	$3,657,328	$3,896,454
Mike Collins (R)	$2,455,397	$733,870	$2,318,722
Derek Dooley (R)	$1,878,605	$173,494	$1,705,111
Source: Federal Election Commission [9]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Buddy Carter	Mike Collins	Derek Dooley	Other	Undecided
Quantus Insights (R) [40]	September 9–12, 2025	253 (RV)	–	20%	25%	7%	–	48%
TIPP Insights [41] [A]	July 28 – August 1, 2025	1,123 (RV)	± 1.8%	19%	25%	7%	6%	43%

Hypothetical polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Buddy Carter	Mike Collins	Derek Dooley	Marjorie Taylor Greene	John King	Rich McCormick	Brad Raffensberger
	July 25, 2025	King withdraws from the race
Trafalgar Group (R) [42]	April 24–27, 2025	– (LV)	–	13%	15%	–	43%	2%	5%	22%
				23%	46%	–	—	11%	21%	–

Independents

Declared

• Al Bartell, management consultant and perennial candidate ^[43]

Filed paperwork

• Develle Jackson ^[44]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
Inside Elections [45]	Tossup	September 12, 2025
The Cook Political Report [46]	Tossup	October 14, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [47]	Tossup	October 14, 2025
Race To The WH [48]	Lean D	October 17, 2025

Polling

Jon Ossoff vs. Buddy Carter

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Jon Ossoff (D)	Buddy Carter (R)	Other	Undecided
Quantus Insights (R) [40]	September 9–12, 2025	624 (RV)	± 4.3%	40%	37%	–	22%
TIPP Insights [41] [A]	July 28 – August 1, 2025	2,956 (RV)	± 1.8%	44%	40%	3%	13%
Cygnal (R) [49]	June 16–18, 2025	610 (LV)	± 3.9%	49%	42%	–	9%
Cygnal (R) [50]	May 15–17, 2025	800 (LV)	± 3.4%	46%	42%	–	12%
Tyson Group (R) [51]	January 30–31, 2025	600 (LV)	± 4.0%	47%	39%	–	13%
WPA Intelligence (R) [52] [B]	January 14–15, 2025	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	45%	32%	–	23%

Jon Ossoff vs. Mike Collins

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Jon Ossoff (D)	Mike Collins (R)	Other	Undecided
Quantus Insights (R) [40]	September 9–12, 2025	624 (RV)	± 4.3%	38%	38%	–	23%
TIPP Insights [53] [A]	July 28 – August 1, 2025	2,956 (RV)	± 1.8%	45%	44%	3%	8%
Cygnal (R) [50]	May 15–17, 2025	800 (LV)	± 3.4%	46%	43%	–	11%
Trafalgar Group (R) [42]	April 24–27, 2025	1,426 (LV)	± 2.9%	48%	43%	3%	6%
WPA Intelligence (R) [52] [B]	January 14–15, 2025	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	44%	34%	–	22%

Jon Ossoff vs. Derek Dooley

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Jon Ossoff (D)	Derek Dooley (R)	Other	Undecided
Quantus Insights (R) [40]	September 9–12, 2025	624 (RV)	± 4.3%	42%	35%	–	22%
TIPP Insights [41] [A]	July 28 – August 1, 2025	2,956 (RV)	± 1.8%	44%	39%	4%	14%
Cygnal (R) [49]	June 16–18, 2025	610 (LV)	± 3.9%	50%	41%	–	9%

Hypothetical polling

Jon Ossoff vs. Brad Raffensperger

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Jon Ossoff (D)	Brad Raffensperger (R)	Other	Undecided
Cygnal (R) [50]	May 15–17, 2025	800 (LV)	± 3.4%	44%	44%	–	12%
Trafalgar Group (R) [42]	April 24–27, 2025	1,426 (LV)	± 2.9%	46%	38%	10%	6%
Atlanta Journal-Constitution [54] [55]	April 15–24, 2025	1,000 (RV)	± 3.1%	48%	39%	–	3%
WPA Intelligence (R) [52] [B]	January 14–15, 2025	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	46%	32%	–	22%

Jon Ossoff vs. Brian Kemp

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Jon Ossoff (D)	Brian Kemp (R)	Undecided
Atlanta Journal-Constitution [54] [55]	April 15–24, 2025	1,000 (RV)	± 3.1%	46%	49%	5%
Quantus Insights (R) [56]	February 11–13, 2025	800 (RV)	± 3.5%	45%	48%	7%
Tyson Group (R) [51]	January 30–31, 2025	600 (LV)	± 4.0%	42%	49%	8%
WPA Intelligence (R) [52] [B]	January 14–15, 2025	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	40%	46%	14%

Jon Ossoff vs. John King

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Jon Ossoff (D)	John King (R)	Undecided
Cygnal (R) [49]	June 16–18, 2025	610 (LV)	± 3.9%	50%	40%	10%
Cygnal (R) [50]	May 15–17, 2025	800 (LV)	± 3.4%	45%	42%	13%
Atlanta Journal-Constitution [54] [55]	April 15–24, 2025	1,000 (RV)	± 3.1%	51%	38%	11%
WPA Intelligence (R) [52] [B]	January 14–15, 2025	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	47%	31%	22%

Jon Ossoff vs. Marjorie Taylor Greene

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Jon Ossoff (D)	Marjorie Taylor Greene (R)	Other	Undecided
Trafalgar Group (R) [42]	April 24–27, 2025	1,426 (LV)	± 2.9%	48%	37%	8%	7%
Atlanta Journal-Constitution [54] [55]	April 15–24, 2025	1,000 (RV)	± 3.1%	54%	37%	–	9%
Tyson Group (R) [51]	January 30–31, 2025	600 (LV)	± 4.0%	51%	39%	–	9%

Jon Ossoff vs. Rich McCormick

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Jon Ossoff (D)	Rich McCormick (R)	Undecided
WPA Intelligence (R) [52] [B]	January 14–15, 2025	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	44%	33%	23%

Jon Ossoff vs. Kelly Loeffler

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Jon Ossoff (D)	Kelly Loeffler	Undecided
Cygnal (R) [50]	May 15–17, 2025	800 (LV)	± 3.4%	46%	43%	11%

Jon Ossoff vs. Generic Republican

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Jon Ossoff (D)	Generic Republican	Undecided
Cygnal (R) [57] [55]	March 9–10, 2025	600 (LV)	± 4.0%	44%	44%	16%

Notes

1. • Jason Anavitarte, majority leader of the Georgia State Senate (2025–present) from the 31st district (2021–present) ^[34]
   • Lee Anderson, state senator from the 24th district (2017–present) ^[34]
   • James Burchett, state representative from the 176th district (2019–present) ^[34]
   • Beth Camp, state representative from the 135th district (2021–present) ^[34]
   • Clint Crowe, state representative from the 118th district (2021–present) ^[34]
   • Robert Dickey state representative from the 145th district (2011–present) ^[34]
   • Clint Dixon, state senator from the 45th district (2021–present) ^[34]
   • Matthew Gambill, state representative from the 15th district (2019–present) ^[34]
   • Russ Goodman, state senator from the 8th district (2021–present) ^[34]
   • Justin Howard, state representative from the 71st district (2025–present) ^[34]
   • Reynaldo Martinez, state representative from the 111th district (2023–present) ^[34]
   • Jason Ridley, state representative from the 6th district (2017–present) ^[34]
   • Shawn Still, state senator from the 48th district (2023–present) ^[34]
   • Carden Summers, state senator from the 13th district (2020–present) ^[34]
   • Brad Thomas, state representative from the 21st district (2021–present) ^[34]
   • Sam Watson, state senator from the 11th district (2023–present) ^[34]
   • Marcus Wiedower, state representative from the 121st district (2019–present) ^[34]
   • Rick Williams, state senator from the 25th district (2023–present) ^[34]
2. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

Partisan clients

1. Poll sponsored by League of American Workers
2. Poll sponsored by Club for Growth

References

1. "2 Republican incumbents lose in Georgia House, but overall Democratic gains are limited". AP News. November 6, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
2. "Democrats Rush to Regroup in the Southern Battlegrounds". The New York Times . November 25, 2024.
3. Bluestein, Greg (December 4, 2024). "Jon Ossoff lays the groundwork for 2026 reelection campaign". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved December 4, 2024.
4. Amy, Jeff (March 22, 2025). "Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff vows defiance to Trump ahead of 2026 election". Associated Press . Archived from the original on April 2, 2025. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
5. "GIFFORDS PAC endorses Sen. Jon Ossoff for reelection in Georgia". Giffords. July 30, 2025.
6. "End Citizens United Endorses Senator Jon Ossoff For Reelection". endcitizensunited.org. July 8, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
7. "LCV Action Fund Endorses Jon Ossoff for U.S. Senate". lcv.org. August 18, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
8. "Reception In Support of Jon Ossoff". JStreetPAC. September 10, 2025.
9. "2026 Election United States Senate - Georgia". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission . Retrieved April 23, 2025.
10. "Reagan Box". Our America. December 30, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2025. Reagan Box of Georgia is a nationally recognized horse trainer and a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2026.
11. Bluestein, Greg (May 8, 2025). "'MAGA warrior' Buddy Carter jumps into Georgia Senate race against Ossoff". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved May 8, 2025.
12. Bluestein, Greg (July 18, 2025). "U.S. Rep. Mike Collins prepares Senate run in Georgia, aiming to seize MAGA lane". AJC Politics. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved July 18, 2025.
13. Booker, Brakkton (August 4, 2025). "Former college football coach Derek Dooley enters Georgia Senate race". Politico . Retrieved August 4, 2025.
14. "CHAPMAN, CHRISTOPH LA'FLARE - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. January 1, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
15. "CLEMENT, CHRISTINA LOREN REV DR TRUSTEE - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. January 1, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
16. "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1918632". docquery.fec.gov. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
17. "TEMPLE, RICK - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. January 1, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
18. "WATKINS, VINSON L - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. January 1, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
19. "Moore Mulls Senate Run, Would Bolster Georgia's Conservative Firepower". Discover Walker. May 30, 2025. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
20. Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (May 7, 2025). "Morning Digest: With their top Georgia recruit out, the GOP's afraid MTG will run for Senate". The Downballot. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
21. Bowman, Bridget; Zanona, Melanie; Nobles, Ryan (May 7, 2025). "Republicans search for a backup plan in crucial Georgia Senate race". NBC News. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
22. Amy, Jeff; Barrow, Bill (May 13, 2025). "Georgia Republicans look to rally behind a challenger to Sen. Jon Ossoff". AP News. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
23. McCarthy, Mia; Kashinsky, Lisa; Leonard, Ben (May 6, 2025). "Trump secretaries start hitting the Hill". Politico . Retrieved May 7, 2025.
24. Isenstadt, Alex (May 9, 2025). "Scoop: Kemp plans secret White House sortie for Georgia Senate pick". Axios . Retrieved May 9, 2025.
25. Bluestein, Greg (July 24, 2025). "John King exits Senate race amid push by Kemp to shape the field". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved July 24, 2025.
26. 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 [ sic ] 'focused on and happy serving [Northeast] GA in the House,' a spokesperson said.
27. Daughtry, Will (February 6, 2025). "Amid primary challenge, Rep. Andrew Clyde talks 2026 reelection bid". WDUN-FM . Retrieved February 17, 2025.
28. Amy, Jeff; Cooper, Jonathon (May 9, 2025). "Marjorie Taylor Greene declines to challenge Jon Ossoff in Georgia Senate race". Associated Press . Retrieved May 9, 2025.
29. Wren, Adam (May 5, 2025). "Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp passes on running for Senate". Politico . Retrieved May 5, 2025.
30. Bluestein, Greg (August 30, 2025). "Kemp cements his Senate choice, backs Dooley at UGA game". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved August 30, 2025.
31. Bluestein, Greg; Mitchell, Tia; Murphy, Patricia; Beam, Adam (July 22, 2025). "Rich McCormick rules out US Senate run in Georgia as GOP field takes shape" . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on July 22, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
32. Ewing, Giselle (September 17, 2025). "Raffensperger launches bid for Georgia governor". POLITICO. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
33. Bynum, Russ; Amy, Jeff (May 8, 2025). "Republican race for Georgia Senate seat begins as US Rep. Buddy Carter becomes first GOP candidate". Associated Press . Retrieved May 8, 2025.
34. Daughtry, Will (July 30, 2025). "As Georgia Senate race heats up, endorsements and cash start flowing". WDUN . Retrieved August 4, 2025.
35. Bluestein, Greg; Mitchell, Tia; Murphy, Patricia; Beam, Adam (August 1, 2025). "Some GOP allies are bucking Brian Kemp to back Mike Collins for Senate". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved August 4, 2025.
36. Kallis, Sarah (August 20, 2025). "Mike Collins kicks off U.S. Senate campaign". Georgia Public Broadcasting . Retrieved September 30, 2025.
37. Foldi, Matthew (September 5, 2025). "SCOOP: Jon Ossoff's "stolen valor" roils Georgia Senate race: "Our veterans are not your political prop"". Washington Reporter . Retrieved September 30, 2025.
38. "Endorsement: Mike Collins for Senate". July 28, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
39. Vakil, Caroline (January 16, 2025). "Kemp keeps Republicans on edge as he mulls Georgia Senate bid". The Hill . Retrieved February 8, 2025.
40. "Georgia's 2026 Senate Race Is Wide Open". Quantus Insights. September 15, 2025. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
41. "League Of American Workers Georgia Survey — July 2025". TIPP Insights. August 7, 2025. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
42. "Georgia US Senate Statewide Survey - April 2025" (PDF). The Trafalgar Group. April 29, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
43. Legoas, Miguel (May 14, 2025). "Who has entered Georgia senate race? These Republicans seek chance to face D-Jon Ossoff". Savannah Morning News . Retrieved July 9, 2025.
44. "JACKSON, DEVELLE LAVAUGHN - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. July 28, 2023.
45. "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
46. "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
47. "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
48. "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
49. Bluestein, Greg [@bluestein] (June 30, 2025). "A new survey by Cygnal — the go-to polling firm of Gov. Brian Kemp and other key Republicans — explains why Insurance Commissioner John King is likely to flood the airwaves with his backstory as his Senate campaign against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff heats up. #gapol" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
50. "Cygnal – Survey of 2024 General Election Voters – Georgia Statewide". Adobe Acrobat . May 22, 2025. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
51. Sforza, Lauren (February 13, 2025). "Trump-loving Marjorie Taylor Greene gets some bad polling news". NJ.com . Retrieved March 3, 2025.
52. Allison, Natalie (January 16, 2025). "GOP poll shows Kemp beating Ossoff in hypothetical Georgia Senate matchup". Politico.
53. "Mike Collins Takes Early Lead In Georgia Senate Showdown — But Plurality Of Voters Are Undecided". TIPP Insights. August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
54. Bluestein, Greg (May 1, 2025). "AJC poll: Kemp neck and neck with Ossoff in possible Georgia Senate matchup". Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved May 1, 2025.
55. M.V. Hood III (April 28, 2025). "AJC 2025 SPRING SURVEY" (PDF). University of Georgia School of Public & International Affairs. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
56. "February 2025 – Georgia 2026 Senate race". Quantus Insights. February 14, 2025. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
57. Bluestein, Greg; Mitchell, Tia; Murphy, Patricia; Beam, Adam (March 12, 2025). "Vote to block transgender bill could hurt Jon Ossoff, new poll finds". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on March 12, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Elbert "Al" Bartell (I) for Senate
• Reagan Box (R) for Senate
• Buddy Carter (R) for Senate
• Mike Collins (R) for Senate
• Derek Dooley (R) for Senate
• John King (R) for Senate
• Jonathan McColumn (R) for Senate
• Jon Ossoff (D) for Senate