Who is running in Georgia’s 2026 Governor election?
The 2026 Georgia Governor election is a pivotal race to choose the state’s next chief executive. With incumbent Republican Governor Brian Kemp not seeking re-election, the contest is an open seat that has attracted numerous candidates from both major parties. This article outlines who is running, provides a clear overview of the election process, and highlights key issues and voting information for Georgia’s 2026 gubernatorial election.
Who is running in Georgia’s 2026 Governor election?
Georgia voters will elect a new Governor in 2026, as current Republican Governor Brian Kemp is not running for re-election, making this an open-seat race. The office of Governor holds significant influence in shaping state policy and leading Georgia’s executive branch. According to recent ratings, the race is viewed as Lean Republican, pointing to a competitive but slightly GOP-tilted contest. Georgia is considered a battleground state with a diverse population of over 10 million. It has a closely contested political history, alternating between Democratic and Republican victories in presidential elections and maintaining a nationally-watched, shifting electorate. Republicans currently control the governorship and the state legislature—a trifecta held since 2003—with the U.S. House delegation slightly favoring Republicans by seat count.
Candidates in the 2026 Georgia Governor election
Several candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties have officially declared and filed for Georgia’s 2026 Governor election. Democrats: Keisha Lance Bottoms, a former Atlanta mayor, senior advisor for public engagement under President Joe Biden, former Atlanta City Council member, and executive director of the Atlanta and Fulton County Recreation Authority, is running on a platform that includes supporting Georgia families and improving governance. Olu Brown is also a declared Democratic candidate. Geoff Duncan, a former lieutenant governor and professional baseball player, is in the race. Jason Esteves, a recently elected state senator and former attorney and educator, emphasizes opposition to political extremism and support for working families. Derrick Jackson serves in the Georgia House, is a retired Navy officer and a former marketing manager, and focuses on empowering working and middle-class families. Ruwa Romman, a Georgia House representative, is the first Muslim woman and Palestinian elected to the legislature, campaigning on inclusivity and policy change. Michael Thurmond, former Georgia Labor Commissioner and CEO of DeKalb County, brings experience as a historian and attorney, emphasizing governance over partisanship. Republicans: Chris Carr, Georgia’s Attorney General, is running for Governor. Clark Dean and Burt Jones, the current Lieutenant Governor, are both declared candidates; Jones has recently been part of legal and fundraising debates in the state. Gregg Kirkpatrick and Leland Olinger II, a former state senate candidate and advocate for family law reforms and mental health solutions, are also running. Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s Secretary of State, joins the field. Olu Brown, founder and lead pastor of Impact United Methodist Church, is also listed as a Republican candidate, emphasizing a call for new leadership. Independents / Others: No independent or third-party candidates are currently listed in the data. This crowded field ensures a wide slate of choices for voters in the 2026 Georgia Governor election.
Georgia’s 2026 Governor election details
Georgia’s 2026 Governor election will be held on November 3, 2026, with primaries scheduled for May 19, 2026 and runoff primaries (if needed) on June 16, 2026. Candidate filing closes on March 6, 2026. Both major parties have several officially registered candidates, reflecting a competitive environment. The election operates on separate party primaries, where Democrats and Republicans each select their nominee. If no candidate receives a majority in their primary, a runoff will determine the nominee. The general election selects the Governor by popular vote; Georgia does not use ranked-choice voting for this office. A notable feature of recent Georgia elections is the impact of campaign finance laws, highlighted by a 2021 regulation permitting certain officeholders to raise unlimited funds via leadership committees. Legal challenges have arisen, such as Attorney General Chris Carr’s lawsuit against Burt Jones, emphasizing the competitive legal and fundraising landscape for candidates. Georgia’s political context is defined by a near-evenly divided electorate, dynamic metro and rural areas, and a historically competitive party balance. Recent election result swings and the political backgrounds of leading candidates drive anticipation for a closely watched primary and general election.
Polling and race outlook for the Georgia Governor election
As of November 2025, multiple political ratings describe Georgia’s 2026 Governor election as highly competitive, with The Cook Political Report calling the race a Toss-up, Inside Elections giving it a Tilt Republican rating, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball listing it as Lean Republican. These ratings reflect the state’s evolving voting patterns and closely divided electorate. Polling referenced in news coverage shows Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms with about 40 percent support among likely Democratic primary voters, leading significantly against rivals like Michael Thurmond. In the Republican field, Burt Jones leads with 22 percent, ahead of Brad Raffensperger, with a majority of voters in both parties still undecided (about 40% of Democrats and 55% of Republicans at the time of polling). Given Georgia’s recent history as a swing state—Biden narrowly winning in 2020 and Trump taking the state in 2024—the open-seat 2026 race is being closely tracked nationally. The outcome is expected to hinge on candidate quality and shifting demographics, with no clear favorite between parties according to the available data.
Key issues in the 2026 Georgia Governor race
Key issues shaping the 2026 Georgia Governor election include family law reform, tax policy changes aiming to support working families and encourage business investment, marijuana legalization for economic growth and job creation, expanded mental health services, and election law reforms to increase transparency and voter access. Job creation and housing stability are also highlighted as important concerns across candidate campaigns and voter discussions. These policy topics reflect both the national debates and various priorities raised within Georgia’s recent elections. Legal and legislative changes—particularly concerning voting rights, campaign finance, and access—remain at the forefront of the gubernatorial dialogue, driven by both candidate statements and civic organizations’ advocacy.
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https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/judge-throws-campaign-finance-lawsuit-republican-rivals-georgia-125073239
Georgia Gubernatorial Election 2026: Candidates and Key Issues
http://www.acluga.org/issues/voter-rights/
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Jon Sutton
An expert in management, strategy, and field organizing, Jon has been a frequent commentator in national publications.
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