2026 Georgia gubernatorial election
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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 is ineligible to seek re-election to a third consecutive term. Primary elections are scheduled to be held on May 19, 2026, and in races where no candidate receives over 50% of the votes, runoff elections will take place on June 16.
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November 3, 2026
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Background
Georgia is considered a swing state at the federal level, but the state has maintained a Republican lean at the state level, with Republicans holding all statewide executive offices in the 2022 midterms, where incumbent governor Brian Kemp was re-elected in a rematch against Democrat Stacey Abrams by a 7.5 percent margin.[1] Republicans also control both the state senate and House of Representatives, together with Kemp's governorship establishing a government trifecta, alongside complete Republican pick on the state's supreme court. A year prior to the elections, the 2025 Georgia Public Service Commission special election resulted in two Democrats being elected to the Commission, both by landslide victories. This was the first time that Democrats won any seats on the PSC since the 2000 elections or any statewide non-federal offices since the 2006 elections.[2][3]
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Chris Carr, attorney general of Georgia (2016–present)[4]
- Clark Dean, real estate executive[5]
- Rick Jackson, healthcare executive[6]
- Burt Jones, lieutenant governor of Georgia (2023–present)[7]
- Gregg Kirkpatrick, entrepreneur[8]
- Brad Raffensperger, Georgia secretary of state (2019–present)[9]
- Tom Williams, retired software engineer[8]
- Ken Yasger, member of the Georgia Army National Guard[10]
Declined
- Andrew Clyde, U.S. representative from Georgia's 9th congressional district (2021–present)[11] (running for re-election)[12]
- Marjorie Taylor Greene, U.S. representative from Georgia's 14th congressional district (2021–2026)[13]
Endorsements
Chris Carr
Statewide officials
- Nathan Deal, former governor of Georgia (2011–2019)[14]
Local officials
- 53 county sheriffs[15]
Rick Jackson
U.S. representatives
- Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the House (1995−1999) from GA-06 (1979–1999)[16]
Statewide officials
- John F. King, insurance commissioner of Georgia (2019–present)[17]
- Bubba McDonald, Georgia public service commissioner from the 4th district (1998–2003, 2008–present)[18]
State legislators
- Bethany Ballard, state representative from the 147th district (2023–present)[17]
- Jan Jones, speaker pro tempore of the Georgia House of Representatives (2010–present) from the 47th district (2013–present)[19]
- Steven Sainz, state representative from the 180th district (2019–present)[17]
Individuals
- Fran Tarkenton, former NFL quarterback[17]
Burt Jones
Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[20]
U.S. representatives
- Rick Allen, GA-12 (2015–present)[17]
- Andrew Clyde, GA-09 (2021–present)[17]
State legislators
- Jason Anavitarte, majority leader of the Georgia State Senate (2025–present) from the 31st district (2021–present)[21]
- Larry Walker III, president pro tempore of the Georgia State Senate (2026–present) from the 20th district (2015–present)[21]
- 24 other state senators[a]
- 38 state representatives[d]
Individuals
- Jason Aldean, singer[22]
- Mark Richt, former head football coach at the University of Georgia[23]
Organizations
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of February 14, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Chris Carr (R) | $4,826,330 | $1,680,535 | $3,145,794 |
| Burt Jones (R)* | $3,946,790 | $617,201 | $3,323,949 |
| Brad Raffensperger (R)* | $864,216 | $474,695 | $5,389,520 |
| Rick Jackson (R) | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Clark Dean (R) | $314,181 | $226,474 | $87,706 |
| Ken Yasger (R) | $5,791 | $946 | $4,845 |
| Source: Georgia Campaign Finance Commission[26] | |||
Asterisk indicates loans or previous campaign account balances
Polling
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation |
Dates administered |
Dates updated |
Chris Carr |
Rick Jackson |
Burt Jones |
Brad Raffensperger |
Other/Undecided [e] |
Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 270toWin[27] | April 29 - May 4, 2026 | May 5, 2026 | 7.0% | 28.6% | 25.4% | 14.0% | 25.0%[f] | Jackson +3.2% |
| Decision Desk HQ |
through April 29, 2026 | May 5, 2026 | 6.8% | 29.1% | 25.7% | 13.7% | 24.7% | Jackson +3.4% |
| RealClearPolitics[29] | February 28 - April 29, 2026 | May 5, 2026 | 6.3% | 26.0% | 24.5% | 14.3% | 28.9% | Jackson +1.5% |
| Race to the WH[30] | through April 29, 2026 | May 5, 2026 | 6.8% | 28.5% | 24.9% | 14.1% | 25.7%[g] | Jackson +3.6% |
| Average | 6.7% | 28.1% | 25.1% | 14.0% | 26.1% | Jackson +3.0% | ||
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[h] |
Margin of error |
Chris Carr |
Clark Dean |
Rick Jackson |
Burt Jones |
Brad Raffensperger |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantus Insights (R)[31] | April 28 – May 2, 2026 | 1,677 (LV) | ± 2.7% | 8% | 1% | 27% | 22% | 14% | 14%[i] | 14% |
| Remington Research Group (R)[32] | April 28–29, 2026 | 815 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 5% | – | 29% | 28% | 14% | – | 24% |
| University of Georgia[33][A] | April 18–26, 2026 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.1% | 3% | – | 27% | 25% | 14% | – | 31% |
| yes. every kid.[34] | April 22–24, 2026 | 603 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 10% | 1% | 32% | 26% | 12% | – | 19% |
| Cygnal (R)[35][B] | April 22–23, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 6% | 1% | 27% | 24% | 12% | – | 30% |
| InsiderAdvantage (R)[36] | April 22–23, 2026 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 6% | – | 32% | 25% | 11% | 3% | 23% |
| JMC Analytics[37] | March 7–8, 2026 | 560 (LV) | ± 4.1% | 4% | <1% | 37% | 22% | 11% | <1%[j] | 25% |
| Emerson College[38][C] | February 28 – March 2, 2026 | 453 (LV) | ± 4.6% | 6% | 0% | 20% | 21% | 11% | 4%[k] | 38% |
| Quantus Insights (R)[39] | February 17–18, 2026 | 1,337 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 5% | – | 33% | 17% | 8% | – | 37% |
| Rasmussen Reports (R)[40] | February 11–12, 2026 | 1,022 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 10% | – | 22% | 16% | 18% | 34% | |
| co/efficient (R)[41] | February 8–9, 2026 | 1,123 (LV) | ± 3.2% | 3% | 1% | 24% | 16% | 9% | 5%[l] | 42% |
| Cygnal (R)[42] | February 5–6, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 7% | – | 16% | 22% | 10% | – | 45% |
| Jackson enters the race | ||||||||||
| InsiderAdvantage (R)/ Rosetta Stone (R)[43] |
December 18–19, 2025 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.1% | 9% | 4% | – | 24% | 14% | – | 49% |
| University of Georgia School of Public and International Affairs[44][A] | October 15–23, 2025 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.1% | 7% | 1% | – | 22% | 15% | – | 55% |
| Quantus Insights (R)[45] | October 13–14, 2025 | 900 (RV) | ± 3.2% | 12% | 2% | – | 32% | 15% | 1%[m] | 38% |
| 20/20 Insight[46] | September 25–28, 2023 | 245 (LV) | ± 6.3% | 9% | – | – | 18% | – | – | 73% |
Hypothetical polling
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Brad Raffensperger | |||
| Republican | Burt Jones | |||
| Republican | Chris Carr | |||
| Republican | Clark Dean | |||
| Republican | Gregg Kirkpatrick | |||
| Republican | Ken Yasger | |||
| Republican | Rick Jackson | |||
| Republican | Thomas Williams | |||
| Total votes | 100.00 | |||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Olujimi Brown, church founder[48]
- Amanda Duffy, accountant[8]
- Geoff Duncan, former Republican lieutenant governor of Georgia (2019–2023)[49]
- Jason Esteves, former state senator from the 35th district (2023–2025)[50]
- Derrick Jackson, state representative (2017–2023, 2023–present) and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2022[51]
- Keisha Lance Bottoms, former director of the Office of Public Engagement (2022–2023) and former mayor of Atlanta (2018–2022)[52]
- Mike Thurmond, former DeKalb County CEO (2017–2025), former Georgia Labor Commissioner (1999–2011), and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2010[53]
Withdrawn
- Ruwa Romman, state representative from the 97th district (2023–present) (running for state senate)[54]
Declined
- Stacey Abrams, former Minority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives (2011–2017) and nominee for governor in 2018 and 2022[55]
- Jason Carter, former state senator from the 42nd district (2010–2015), grandson of former governor and president Jimmy Carter, and nominee for governor in 2014[50] (endorsed Esteves)[56]
- Lucy McBath, U.S. representative from Georgia's 6th congressional district (2019–present)[57]
Endorsements
Geoff Duncan
State legislators
- Michelle Au, state representative from the 50th district (2023–present)[19]
- Pat Gardner, state representative from the 57th district (2001–2021)[19]
Individuals
- James Woodall, former president of the Georgia NAACP (2019–2021)[58]
Labor unions
Jason Esteves
Executive branch officials
- Sally Yates, former U.S. deputy attorney general (2015–2017)[60]
State legislators
- Bryce Berry, state representative from the 56th district (2025–present)[61]
- Jason Carter, former state senator from the 42nd district (2010–2015)[56]
- Saira Draper, state representative from the 90th district (2023–present)[61]
- Sally Harrell, state senator from the 40th district (2019-present)[62]
- Scott Holcomb, state representative from the 101st district (2011–present)[62]
- Kim Jackson, state senator from the 41st district (2021-present)[62]
- Donzella James, state senator from the 35th district (1994–2002, 2009–present)[61]
- RaShaun Kemp, state senator from the 38th district (2025–present)[61]
- Karen Lupton, state representative from the 83rd district (2023–present)[62]
- Phil Olaleye, state representative from the 59th district (2023–present)[61]
- Nan Orrock, state senator from the 36th district (2007–present)[61]
- Elena Parent, state senator from the 42nd district (2015–present)[61]
- Freddie Powell Sims, state senator from the 12th district (2009–present)[19]
- Shea Roberts, state representative from the 52nd district (2021–present)[62]
- Long Tran, state representative from the 80th district (2023–present)[62]
Local officials
- Doug Shipman, former president of the Atlanta City Council (2022–2026)[61]
- Ted Terry, DeKalb County commissioner from the 6th district (2021–present)[61]
Labor unions
- AFSCME Local 1644[19]
- SEIU Workers United Southern Region[19]
- Teamsters Local 528[63]
- UNITE HERE Local 23[19]
Organizations
Keisha Lance Bottoms
Executive branch officials
- Joe Biden, former president of the United States (2021–2025)[17]
Statewide officials
- Gavin Newsom, governor of California (2019–present)[17]
State legislators
- Nadine Thomas, former state senator from the 10th district (1993–2005)[68]
Local officials
- Burrell Ellis, former DeKalb County CEO (2009–2017)[68]
Labor unions
Organizations
Michael Thurmond
Statewide officials
- Roy Barnes, former governor of Georgia (1999–2003)[70]
Local officials
- Andrew Young, former mayor of Atlanta (1982–1990)[70]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of February 14, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) | $2,213,349 | $1,404,164 | $809,185 |
| Olujimi Brown (D) | $139,566 | $79,939 | $59,626 |
| Jason Esteves (D) | $2,251,836 | $1,029,638 | $1,222,197 |
| Derrick Jackson (D) | $123,780 | $169,313 | $86,467 |
| Michael Thurmond (D) | $747,226 | $334,701 | $690,036 |
| Geoff Duncan (D) | $1,109,523 | $471,948 | $609,237 |
| Ruwa Romman (D) | $245,822 | $208,347 | $37,474 |
| Source: Georgia Campaign Finance Commission[26] | |||
Polling
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation |
Dates administered |
Dates updated |
Derrick Jackson |
Geoff Duncan |
Jason Esteves |
Keisha Lance Bottoms |
Michael Thurmond |
Undecided[e] | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 270toWin[27] | May 1-4, 2026 | May 5, 2026 | 1.0% | 8.0% | 6.5% | 45.5% | 13.0% | 26.0% | Bottoms +32.5% |
| Race to the WH[71] | through April 29, 2026 | May 5, 2026 | 1.5% | 8.5% | 6.7% | 43.5% | 12.4% | 27.4%[o] | Bottoms +31.1% |
| Average | 1.3% | 8.3% | 6.6% | 44.5% | 12.7% | 26.7% | Bottoms +31.8% | ||
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[h] |
Margin of error |
Olujimi Brown |
Derrick Jackson |
Geoff Duncan |
Jason Esteves |
Keisha Lance Bottoms |
Michael Thurmond |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Georgia[72][A] | April 23–29, 2026 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.1% | – | 1% | 7% | 8% | 39% | 10% | – | 35% |
| Concord Public Opinion Partners (D)[73][D] | March 31 – April 10, 2026 | 437 (LV) | – | 1% | 2% | 8% | 6% | 42% | 12% | – | 29% |
| – | – | – | – | 56% | 22% | – | 22% | ||||
| – | – | 16% | – | 60% | – | – | 24% | ||||
| – | – | – | 16% | 60% | – | – | 24% | ||||
| 20/20 Insight[74][E] | March 19–24, 2026 | 575 (LV) | ± 4.1% | – | – | 12% | 14% | 32% | 11% | – | 30% |
| Emerson College[38][C] | February 28– March 2, 2026 | 464 (LV) | ± 4.5% | 0% | 3% | 13% | 4% | 35% | 7% | – | 39% |
| University of Georgia School of Public and International Affairs[44][A] | October 13–21, 2025 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.1% | – | 1% | 5% | 3% | 40% | 11% | 1%[p] | 39% |
| Frederick Polls (D)[75][F] | September 23–25, 2025 | 1,513 (LV) | ± 2.5% | 2% | 2% | 17% | 10% | 43% | 25% | – | – |
| Public Policy Polling (D)[76][G] | September 15–16, 2025 | 620 (LV) | – | 1% | 2% | 9% | 4% | 38% | 12% | – | 43% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Olujimi Brown | |||
| Democratic | Amanda Duffy | |||
| Democratic | Derrick Jackson | |||
| Democratic | Geoff Duncan | |||
| Democratic | Jason Esteves | |||
| Democratic | Keisha Lance Bottoms | |||
| Democratic | Mike Thurmond | |||
| Total votes | 100.00 | |||
Independents and minor parties
Libertarian Party
Candidates
Declared
- Chase Oliver, former chair of the Atlanta Libertarian Party and perennial candidate[77]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[78] | Tossup | September 11, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[79] | Tilt R | August 28, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[80] | Tossup | March 19, 2026 |
| Race to the WH[81] | Tilt D (flip) | May 3, 2026 |
Polling
Rick Jackson vs. Keisha Lance Bottoms
Burt Jones vs. Keisha Lance Bottoms
Brad Raffensperger vs. Keisha Lance Bottoms
Notes
- John Albers, state senator from the 56th district (2011–present)[21]
- Lee Anderson, state senator from the 24th district (2017–present)[21]
- Tim Bearden, state senator from the 30th district (2024–present)[21]
- Matt Brass, state senator from the 28th district (2017–present)[21]
- Max Burns, state senator from the 23rd district (2021–present)[21]
- Clint Dixon, state senator from the 45th district (2021–present)[21]
- Greg Dolezal, state senator from the 27th district (2019–present)[21]
- Drew Echols, state senator from the 49th district (2025–present)[21]
- Steve Gooch, state senator from the 51st district (2011–present)[21]
- Russ Goodman, state senator from the 8th district (2021–present)[21]
- Marty Harbin, state senator from the 16th district (2015–present)[21]
- Bo Hatchett, state senator from the 50th district (2021–present)[21]
- Billy Hickman, state senator from the 4th district (2020–present)[21]
- Mike Hodges, state senator from the 3rd district (2023–present)[21]
- Chuck Hufstetler, state senator from the 52nd district (2013–present)[21]
- Kay Kirkpatrick, state senator from the 32nd district (2017–present)[21]
- Steven McNeel, state senator from the 18th district (2026–present)[17]
- Randy Robertson, state senator from the 29th district (2019–present)[21]
- Shawn Still, state senator from the 48th district (2023–present)[21]
- Carden Summers, state senator from the 13th district (2020–present)[21]
- Blake Tillery, state senator from the 19th district (2017–present)[21]
- Ben Watson, state senator from the 1st district (2015–present)[21]
- Sam Watson, state senator from the 11th district (2023–present)[21]
- Rick Williams, state senator from the 25th district (2023–present)[21]
- Greene represented the 130th district (1983–1993), 158th district (1993–2003), 134th district (2003–2005) as a Democrat. He represented the 149th district (2005–2013) as both a Democrat and a Republican, switching parties in 2010. He has since represented the 151st district (2013–2023) and 154th district (2023–present) as a Republican.
- Powell served as a Democrat from 1991 to 1993 for the 13th district and 1993 to 2005 for the 23rd district. He represented the 29th district from 2005 to 2013, defecting from the party in 2010. He went on to serve as a Republican from 2013 to 2023 for the 32nd district, and from 2023 to now for the 33rd district.
- Victor Anderson, state representative from the 10th district (2021–present)[21]
- James Burchett, state representative from the 176th district (2019–present)[21]
- Beth Camp, state representative (2021–present)[21]
- Charles Cannon, state representative from the 172nd district (2023–present)[21]
- Mike Cheokas, state representative (2005–2017, 2019–present)[21]
- David Clark, state representative (2015–present)[21]
- Clint Crowe, state representative (2021–present)[21]
- Buddy DeLoach, state representative (1995–2005, 2021–present)[21]
- Robert Dickey, state representative (2011–present)[21]
- Emory Dunahoo, state representative from the 31th district (2011–present)[21]
- Ginny Ehrhart, state representative from the 36th district (2019–present)[21]
- Tim Fleming, state representative from the 114th district (2023–present)[21]
- Lehman Franklin, state representative from the 160th district (2023–present)[21]
- Gerald Greene, state representative (1983–present)[21][b]
- Lee Hawkins, state representative from the 27th district (2013–present)[21]
- Justin Howard, state representative from the 71st district (2025–present)[21]
- Rick Jasperse, state representative from the 11th district (2010–present)[21]
- Todd Jones, state representative from the 25th district (2017–present)[21]
- Noelle Kahaian, state representative from the 81st district (2025–present)[21]
- John LaHood, state representative from the 175th district (2018–present)[21]
- Eddie Lumsden, state representative from the 12th district (2013–present)[21]
- Reynaldo Martinez, state representative from the 111th district (2023–present)[21]
- Danny Mathis, state representative (2019–present)[21]
- Karen Mathiak, state representative (2017–present)[21]
- Mark Newton, state representative (2017–present)[21]
- Jesse Petrea, state representative from the 166th district (2015–present)[21]
- Alan Powell, state representative (1991–present)[21][c]
- Trey Rhodes, state representative (2015–2023)[21]
- Gary Richardson, state representative from the 125th district (2024–present)[21]
- Jason Ridley, state representative from the 6th district (2017–present)[21]
- Devan Seabaugh, state representative from the 34th district (2021–present)[21]
- Lynn Smith, state representative (1997–present)[21]
- Tyler Smith, state representative from the 18th district (2021–present)[21]
- Ron Stephens, state representative (1997–present)[21]
- Steve Tarvin, state representative from the 2nd district (2014–present)[21]
- Dale Washburn, state representative (2019–present)[21]
- Bruce Williamson, state representative (2011–present)[21]
- Noel Williams Jr., state representative from the 148th district (2019–present)[21]
- John F. Kennedy, former president pro tempore of the Georgia State Senate (2023–2025) from the 18th district (2015–2025)[21]
- Ed Setzler, former state representative from the 35th district (2005–2023)[21]
- Marcus Wiedower, former state representative (2019–2025)[21]
- Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
- Clark Dean with 0.5%
- Olinger with 1.7%; Dean with 0.4%; Kirkpatrick with 0.3%;
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - Ken Yasger with 1%; Gregg Kirkpatrick and Tom Williams with a combined 1%; "I have no interest/will not vote in Republican primary races" with 12%
- Gregg Kirkpatrick, Tom Williams, and Ken Yasger with <1%
- Gregg Kirkpatrick and Leland Olinger II with 2%; Ken Yasger with 1%
- "Someone else" with 4%; Gregg Kirkpatrick with 1%
- Ken Yasger with 1%
- "Someone else/Other" with 1%
- Ruwa Romman at 1.0%; Olujimi Brown at 0.3%
- Ruwa Romman with 1%
Partisan clients
- Poll sponsored by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- Poll sponsored by the Democracy Defense Project
- Poll sponsored by Nexstar Media
- Poll sponsored by Education Reform Now Advocacy
- Poll sponsored by Democratic secretary of state candidate Penny Brown Reynolds' campaign
- Poll sponsored by Center for Strong Public Schools Action Fund, a center-left nonprofit organization
- Poll sponsored by Bottoms's campaign