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The 2026 Georgia gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Georgia. Incumbent Republican Governor Brian Kemp will be term-limited by the Georgia Constitution in 2026 and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.
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 2.3% 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, 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
- Chris Carr, Georgia Attorney General (2016–present)
Publicly expressed interest
- Burt Jones, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia (2023–present) (decision expected after the 2025 legislative session)
Potential
- Brad Raffensperger, Georgia Secretary of State (2019–present)
Declined
- Andrew Clyde, U.S. representative from Georgia's 9th congressional district (2021–present)
Polling
Hypothetical polling| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Chris Carr |
Burt Jones |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20/20 Insight | September 25–28, 2023 | 245 (LV) | ± 6.3% | 9% | 18% | 73% |
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Olujimi Brown, church founder
Publicly expressed interest
- Stacey Abrams, founder of Fair Fight Action, former Minority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives (2011–2017), and nominee for governor in 2018 and 2022
- Keisha Lance Bottoms, former director of the Office of Public Engagement (2022–2023) and former mayor of Atlanta (2018–2022)
- Jason Carter, former state senator (2010–2015), grandson of former governor and president Jimmy Carter, and nominee for governor in 2014
- Lucy McBath, U.S. representative for Georgia's 6th congressional district (2019–present)
Potential
Polling
Hypothetical polling| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Stacey Abrams |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20/20 Insight | September 25–28, 2023 | 247 (LV) | ± 6.2% | 52% | 34% | 14% |
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| 270toWin | Lean R | January 5, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report | Tossup | January 23, 2025 |
Notes
See also
References
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Dukes, Deidra (November 7, 2024). "Attention shifts to 2026 Georgia state elections following November vote outcome". WAGA-TV. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- 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.
- 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 GA in the House,' a spokesperson said.
- ^ 20/20 Insight
- 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.
- Merchant, Zach (August 25, 2024). "Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams not ruling out another run for office, says 'all options are on the table'". WXIA-TV. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
- 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.
- ^ "Former Sen. Jason Carter talks about political future during podcast". WAGA-TV. December 5, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- Ripley, Joe (November 22, 2024). "Here's what Georgia's governor race in 2026 could look like in terms of candidates". WXIA-TV. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- "2025-26 Gubernatorial Elections Map". 270toWin. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
External links
Official campaign websites
| (2025 ←) 2026 United States elections (→ 2027) | |
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