So, you’re looking into who the governor of Georgia is. Right now, in early 2026, that person is still Brian Kemp. He’s the 83rd person to hold the job, and honestly, if you haven’t been following Peach State politics lately, you’ve missed a wild few years.
Kemp is currently in the home stretch of his second term. He first took the oath back in 2019 after a nail-biter of an election against Stacey Abrams. Then he did it again in 2022, winning a rematch that wasn’t nearly as close as the first one. But because Georgia has strict term limits—you can only serve two consecutive four-year terms—he’s basically a "lame duck" now, though he’d probably hate that term.
The Governor of Georgia Today: Brian Kemp’s Final Act
Kemp just delivered his final State of the State address on January 15, 2026. It was a bit of a victory lap. He talked a lot about the "Dream Scholarship," a new need-based program he’s pushing, and a massive $1 billion tax rebate.
When you think about the governor of Georgia, you're usually thinking about someone who has a massive amount of power over the state’s budget and the "Gold Dome" (that’s what locals call the state capitol). Kemp has used that power to keep the state's rainy-day fund at a record $10 billion. He's also been leaning hard into the "No. 1 state for business" title that Georgia has claimed for over a decade.
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What most people get wrong
People often think the governor of Georgia is just a rubber stamp for whatever the national party wants. Kemp proved that wasn't true, most famously when he broke with President Donald Trump over the 2020 election results. He basically stayed in his lane, followed state law, and managed to survive a primary challenge because of it.
It’s also a common misconception that the governor handles everything. In Georgia, the Lieutenant Governor (currently Burt Jones) actually has a ton of power because they preside over the State Senate. If the governor and the lieutenant governor don't get along, things get messy fast.
Who is Brian Kemp?
Before he was the big guy in Atlanta, Kemp was a small-business owner in Athens. He started out with a "pickup truck and a shovel," which is a line he uses in almost every speech. He served in the State Senate and then as Secretary of State before running for the top job.
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- Residence: The Governor's Mansion in Buckhead (though he still has his family farm in Athens).
- Family: Married to First Lady Marty Kemp; they have three daughters.
- Big Wins: Bringing the Hyundai "Metaplant" to the coast and Rivian to social circle (even if the latter has had some bumps).
The Looming 2026 Election: Who’s Next?
Since Kemp can’t run again this year, the race to be the next governor of Georgia is already getting heated. It’s going to be one of the most watched elections in the country.
Right now, the Republican side is looking like a heavyweight bout between Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. If those names sound familiar, it’s because they’ve been at the center of the national conversation about voting and elections for years. They’re already sparring over DOJ requests for voter data and how the 2020 election was handled.
On the Democratic side, everyone is waiting to see who steps up. There’s been talk about figures like Congresswoman Lucy McBath or even a third run from someone unexpected.
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Why the Governor of Georgia Matters to You
Even if you don't live in Georgia, what happens in that office ripples outward. The state has become a massive hub for film and tech. When the governor of Georgia signs a bill about tax credits for movies or environmental regulations for EV battery plants, it affects the whole economy.
Plus, Georgia is the ultimate swing state. The governor sets the tone for how elections are run and how the state interacts with the federal government.
Key Powers of the Office:
- Veto Power: He can kill a bill, though the legislature can override him if they have enough votes.
- Budgeting: He proposes the state’s multi-billion dollar budget. He basically decides where the money goes first.
- Appointments: He picks the people who run state agencies and even fills vacancies in the courts.
Practical Steps to Stay Informed
If you want to keep tabs on what the governor of Georgia is doing or who might take the seat next, here is what you should actually do:
- Watch the Legislative Session: The Georgia General Assembly meets from January to late March. This is when the governor's priorities actually become law.
- Check the "Green Book": This is the state's budget document. It’s boring, but it tells you exactly what the governor values.
- Follow Local Journalists: Don't just watch national news. Reporters from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution or Georgia Public Broadcasting are in the room when these decisions happen.
The 2026 election is on November 3rd. Between now and then, Brian Kemp will be focused on cementing his legacy, likely through more tax cuts and infrastructure projects. Whether you're a resident or just a political observer, the next twelve months in Georgia are going to be anything but quiet.