Brian Kemp is hitting the road soon. Not because he wants to, but because the law says he has to. Georgia’s term limits are basically a "hard exit" sign, and as he packs his bags, the scramble to replace him is getting wild. Honestly, if you thought the last few cycles in the Peach State were a rollercoaster, you haven't seen anything yet.
The 2026 race is already shaping up to be a total collision of MAGA loyalty, old-school conservatism, and a Democratic party trying to prove 2020 wasn't just a fluke. People keep asking, "Is Stacey Abrams running?" or "Will Marjorie Taylor Greene jump in?" Well, we finally have some answers, and they might surprise you.
Let's clear the air: Stacey Abrams is officially out. She pulled the plug on the "third time's a charm" narrative in January 2026, saying she’s focusing on fighting authoritarianism rather than hitting the campaign trail again. And Marjorie Taylor Greene? She’s staying in the House. With those two giants off the board, the field has cracked wide open for a new cast of characters.
The Republican Civil War: Traditionalists vs. The MAGA Movement
On the GOP side, it’s kinda like a family reunion where nobody wants to sit next to each other. You've got three heavy hitters who all think they’re the rightful heir to the Gold Dome.
Burt Jones is the guy to watch if you want to see where the Trump wing of the party is headed. He’s the current Lieutenant Governor and, frankly, he’s got the "MAGA" credentials in spades. He was one of the "fake electors" back in 2020, and he’s never really shied away from that. He’s got the family money (Jones Petroleum) and a football background at UGA, which, let's be real, counts for a lot in Georgia. Right now, he’s leading the polls, sitting at about 24% according to some late 2025 numbers.
Then there’s Brad Raffensperger. Yeah, that Brad Raffensperger. The guy who took the phone call from Trump and said "no" to finding more votes. He’s running on a "law and order" platform, basically betting that there’s a silent majority of Republicans who are tired of the drama. He’s an engineer, he’s wealthy, and he’s positioning himself as the adult in the room. But in a primary? It’s going to be an uphill battle to win over the base that still hasn't forgiven him for 2020.
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Don't sleep on Chris Carr, the Attorney General. He’s the "establishment" pick in many ways. He’s got over 50 sheriffs backing him and has raised a ton of cash—over $3.4 million by mid-2025. He’s trying to walk the line between being a solid conservative and not getting bogged down in the 2020 election conspiracy swamp.
The Democratic Surge: A New Kind of Field
For the Democrats, the vibe has shifted. It’s no longer the "Abrams Show." Instead, it’s a crowded room with a lot of different flavors of liberalism.
Keisha Lance Bottoms is the undisputed front-runner here. The former Atlanta Mayor and Biden advisor has the name recognition that everyone else dreams of. She’s polling at 40% among Democrats, which is a massive lead. She’s talking a lot about Medicaid expansion—which Georgia still hasn’t done—and tackling corporate landlords. She’s basically trying to bridge the gap between the Atlanta elite and the rural voters who feel left behind.
But check out this twist: Geoff Duncan is running as a Democrat.
Wait, what?
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Yes, the former Republican Lieutenant Governor, who became one of the loudest "Never Trump" voices in the state, has officially swapped jerseys. He’s running as a centrist Democrat, which is a bold—some would say crazy—move. He’s betting that there’s a huge chunk of suburban voters who are socially moderate but fiscally conservative and just want the fighting to stop. It’s a fascinating experiment in Georgia politics.
Other names in the mix:
- Michael Thurmond: The former DeKalb CEO. He’s got a lot of respect and deep roots in the state.
- Jason Esteves: A state senator who’s young, energetic, and raising some serious money (nearly $1.2 million).
- Ruwa Romman: A state rep who represents the "new Georgia"—progressive, diverse, and ready to shake things up.
What Most People Get Wrong About Georgia Voters
There’s this idea that Georgia is either "Red" or "Blue." It’s actually more like a messy shade of purple.
What the national media often misses is that Georgia voters are incredibly transactional. They liked Brian Kemp because he kept the economy open and put money back in their pockets with tax rebates. They liked Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock because they promised (and delivered) on specific federal aid.
The candidates for governor of georgia in 2026 who win won't be the ones who scream the loudest about 2020 or 2024. It’ll be the ones who can explain how they’re going to stop their rent from doubling and how they’re going to keep rural hospitals from closing. Keisha Lance Bottoms knows this, which is why she’s hitting the Medicaid expansion point so hard. Burt Jones knows this too, focusing on "delivering results" for families.
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The Money Race (As of Last Reports)
| Candidate | Party | Cash on Hand |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Carr | Republican | $2,668,859 |
| Keisha Lance Bottoms | Democrat | $1,092,695 |
| Jason Esteves | Democrat | $963,757 |
| Burt Jones | Republican | $143,644 |
Note: Burt Jones has spent a lot early on, and many candidates use personal wealth or different filing accounts, so "cash on hand" doesn't always tell the full story of their "war chest" potential.
Why This Race Is Actually a 2028 Preview
Georgia is a harbinger. If a MAGA-aligned candidate like Burt Jones wins, it signals that the movement is still the dominant force in the South. If someone like Keisha Lance Bottoms wins, she immediately becomes a national star and a potential 2028 VP or Presidential contender.
The primary is set for May 19, 2026. Between now and then, expect a lot of attack ads. You’ll hear about Raffensperger’s "betrayal," Jones’s "fake elector" status, and Bottoms’s record as Mayor during the 2020 unrest. It’s going to be loud, expensive, and probably a little exhausting.
What you should do next
If you live in Georgia, the first thing you need to do is check your registration. The state has been aggressive about cleaning up voter rolls, and you don't want to find out you're "inactive" when you show up to vote in the primary.
- Go to the My Voter Page (MVP): Check your status on the Secretary of State’s website.
- Watch the Debates: The Georgia Press Club usually hosts the best ones. Don't just rely on 30-second TV ads.
- Look at the Down-Ballot: While everyone is looking at the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General races are going to be just as wild because the current people in those jobs are all running for the top spot.
The candidates for governor of georgia are basically auditioning for the most important job in the Deep South. The winner will decide everything from your tax rate to what your kids learn in school and whether you can get health insurance. Pay attention now, because by November, the narrative will already be set.