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 were held on May 19, 2026. Rick Jackson and Burt Jones received the most votes in the first round primary, but failed to reach the 50% threshold, triggering a runoff election scheduled for June 16. Whoever wins the runoff will face off against Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms in November.

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...
2026 Georgia gubernatorial election

 2022
November 3, 2026
2030 
 
Nominee TBD Keisha Lance Bottoms
Party Republican Democratic

Incumbent Governor

Brian Kemp
Republican



Close

The 2026 gubernatorial primary was the first time that Democratic turnout exceeded that of Republicans since 2006.

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 an all but one Republican pick on the state's supreme court. A year prior to the 2026 elections, the 2025 Georgia Public Service Commission special election resulted in two Democrats being elected to the Commission, both by landslide victories, and marking 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] Democrats have not won a gubernatorial election in Georgia since 1998.

Republican primary

Candidates

Advanced to runoff

Eliminated in primary

Declined

Endorsements

Chris Carr (eliminated)

Statewide officials

Local officials

  • 53 county sheriffs[16]
Rick Jackson

U.S. representatives

Statewide officials

State legislators

Individuals

Burt Jones

Executive branch officials

U.S. representatives

State legislators

Individuals

Organizations

Fundraising

Italics indicate a candidate that has either withdrawn from the race, declined to run, or been eliminated in the primary.

More information Campaign finance reports as of April 30, 2026, Candidate ...
Campaign finance reports as of April 30, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Chris Carr (R) $5,324,601 $4,168,947 $1,117,682
Burt Jones (R)* $4,408,079 $18,035,637 $3,350,140
Brad Raffensperger (R)* $1,102,127 $4,570,050 $2,532,076
Rick Jackson (R) $83,495,513 $65,672,560 $17,649,980
Clark Dean (R) $393,763 $318,155 $75,607
Ken Yasger (R) $5,791 $946 $4,845
Source: Georgia Campaign Finance Commission[29]
Close

Asterisk indicates loans or previous campaign account balances

Polling

Aggregate polls

More information Source of poll aggregation, Dates administered ...
Source of poll
aggregation
Dates
administered
Dates
updated
Chris
Carr
Rick
Jackson
Burt
Jones
Brad
Raffensperger
Other/Undecided
[e]
Margin
270toWin[30] April 29 - May 5, 2026 May 11, 2026 7.2% 28.3% 24.8% 14.0% 25.7%[f] Jackson +3.5%
Decision Desk HQ[31] through May 2, 2026 May 11, 2026 7.2% 28.6% 24.9% 14.0% 25.3% Jackson +3.7%
RealClearPolitics[32] February 28 - May 2, 2026 May 11, 2026 6.3% 26.2% 24.0% 14.2% 29.3% Jackson +2.2%
Race to the WH[33] through May 2, 2026 May 11, 2026 7.0% 28.0% 24.4% 13.9% 26.7%[g] Jackson +3.6%
Average 6.9% 27.8% 24.5% 14.0% 26.8% Jackson +3.3%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[h]
Margin
of error
Chris
Carr
Rick
Jackson
Burt
Jones
Brad
Raffensperger
Other Undecided
InsiderAdvantage (R)[34] May 16–17, 2026 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 10% 31% 27% 16% 4%[i] 12%
Quantus Insights (R)[35] April 28 – May 2, 2026 1,677 (LV) ± 2.7% 8% 27% 22% 14% 15%[j] 14%
Remington Research Group (R)[36] April 28–29, 2026 815 (LV) ± 3.3% 5% 29% 28% 14% 24%
University of Georgia[37][A] April 18–26, 2026 1,000 (LV) ± 3.1% 3% 27% 25% 14% 31%
yes. every kid.[38] April 22–24, 2026 603 (LV) ± 4.0% 10% 32% 26% 12% 1%[k] 19%
Cygnal (R)[39][B] April 22–23, 2026 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 6% 27% 24% 12% 1%[k] 30%
InsiderAdvantage (R)[40] April 22–23, 2026 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 6% 32% 25% 11% 3% 23%
JMC Analytics[41] March 7–8, 2026 560 (LV) ± 4.1% 4% 37% 22% 11% <1%[l] 25%
Emerson College[42][C] February 28 – March 2, 2026 453 (LV) ± 4.6% 6% 20% 21% 11% 4%[m] 38%
Quantus Insights (R)[43] February 17–18, 2026 1,337 (LV) ± 3.0% 5% 33% 17% 8% 37%
Rasmussen Reports (R)[44] February 11–12, 2026 1,022 (LV) ± 3.0% 10% 22% 16% 18% 34%
co/efficient (R)[45] February 8–9, 2026 1,123 (LV) ± 3.2% 3% 24% 16% 9% 6%[n] 42%
Cygnal (R)[46] February 5–6, 2026 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 7% 16% 22% 10% 45%
February 3, 2026 Jackson enters the race
InsiderAdvantage (R)/
Rosetta Stone (R)[47]
December 18–19, 2025 1,000 (LV) ± 3.1% 9% 24% 14% 4%[o] 49%
University of Georgia[48][A] October 15–23, 2025 1,000 (LV) ± 3.1% 7% 22% 15% 1%[k] 55%
Quantus Insights (R)[49] October 13–14, 2025 900 (RV) ± 3.2% 12% 32% 15% 3%[p] 38%
20/20 Insight[50] September 25–28, 2023 245 (LV) ± 6.3% 9% 18% 73%
Close
Hypothetical polling

Marjorie Taylor Greene vs. Burt Jones vs. Brad Raffensperger vs. Chris Carr

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[h]
Margin
of error
Chris
Carr
Burt
Jones
Brad
Raffersperger
Marjorie
Taylor Greene
Other Undecided
yes. every kid. (D)[51] July 22–23, 2025 608 (LV) ± 4.0% 11% 18% 13% 22% 1%[q] 35%
Close

Results

Primary results by county:
  Jones
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  Jackson
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  Raffensperger
  •   30–40%
  Tie
  •   30–40%
More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Burt Jones 358,184 38.4
Republican Rick Jackson 303,621 32.5
Republican Brad Raffensperger 140,085 15.0
Republican Chris Carr 110,720 11.9
Republican Clark Dean 7,051 0.8
Republican Gregg Kirkpatrick 5,537 0.6
Republican Ken Yasger 4,770 0.5
Republican Thomas Williams 3,849 0.4
Total votes 933,817 100.00
Close

Runoff

Endorsements

Rick Jackson

U.S. senators

Statewide officials

Burt Jones

Statewide officials

Individuals

Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[h]
Margin
of error
Rick
Jackson
Burt
Jones
Undecided
InsiderAdvantage (R)[56] June 15, 2026 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 48% 47% 5%
InsiderAdvantage (R)[57] June 13–14, 2026 800 (LV) ± 3.31% 49% 46% 5%
Cygnal (R)[58] June 5–7, 2026 – (LV) 56% 44%
JMC Analytics (R)[59] May 26–27, 2026 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 45% 43% 12%
Cygnal (R)[58] May 21–24, 2026 – (LV) 50% 50%
InsiderAdvantage (R)[60] May 20–21, 2026 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 42% 48% 10%
Quantus Insights (R)[61] May 20, 2026 782 (LV) ± 3.9% 44% 46% 9%
Close

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Rick Jackson
Republican Burt Jones
Total votes 100.00
Close

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Withdrawn

Declined

Endorsements

Geoff Duncan

State legislators

Individuals

Labor unions

Jason Esteves

Executive branch officials

State legislators

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Keisha Lance Bottoms

Executive branch officials

Statewide officials

State legislators

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Individuals
Michael Thurmond

Statewide officials

Local officials

Fundraising

More information Campaign finance reports as of April 30, 2026, Candidate ...
Campaign finance reports as of April 30, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) $2,869,146 $2,549,686 $257,336
Olujimi Brown (D) $139,566 $79,939 $59,626
Jason Esteves (D) $2,907,598 $2,067,240 $773,461
Derrick Jackson (D) $128,504 $206,723 $83,780
Mike Thurmond (D) $883,112 $929,503 $421,132
Geoff Duncan (D) $1,739,846 $1,328,597 $867,783
Source: Georgia Campaign Finance Commission[29]
Close

Polling

Aggregate polls

More information Source of poll aggregation, Dates administered ...
Source of poll
aggregation
Dates
administered
Dates
updated
Derrick
Jackson
Geoff
Duncan
Jason
Esteves
Keisha Lance
Bottoms
Michael
Thurmond
Undecided[e] Margin
270toWin[30] 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[85] through April 29, 2026 May 5, 2026 1.5% 8.5% 6.7% 43.5% 12.4% 27.4%[r] Bottoms +31.1%
Average 1.3% 8.3% 6.6% 44.5% 12.7% 26.7% Bottoms +31.8%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[h]
Margin
of error
Geoff
Duncan
Jason
Esteves
Keisha Lance
Bottoms
Michael
Thurmond
Other Undecided
University of Georgia[86][A] April 23–29, 2026 1,000 (LV) ± 3.1% 7% 8% 39% 10% 1%[s] 35%
Concord Public Opinion Partners (D)[87][D] March 31 – April 10, 2026 437 (LV) 8% 6% 42% 12% 3%[t] 29%
56% 22% 22%
16% 60% 24%
16% 60% 24%
20/20 Insight[88][E] March 19–24, 2026 575 (LV) ± 4.1% 12% 14% 32% 11% 30%
Emerson College[42][C] February 28– March 2, 2026 464 (LV) ± 4.5% 13% 4% 35% 7% 3%[u] 39%
University of Georgia[48][A] October 13–21, 2025 1,000 (LV) ± 3.1% 5% 3% 40% 11% 2%[v] 39%
Frederick Polls (D)[89][F] September 23–25, 2025 1,513 (LV) ± 2.5% 17% 10% 43% 25% 4%[w]
Public Policy Polling (D)[90][G] September 15–16, 2025 620 (LV) 9% 4% 38% 12% 3%[t] 43%
Close
Hypothetical polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[h]
Margin
of error
Stacey
Abrams
Other Undecided
20/20 Insight[50] September 25–28, 2023 247 (LV) ± 6.2% 52% 34% 14%
Close

Results

Primary results by county:
  Bottoms
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  Thurmond
  •   30–40%
More information Party, Candidate ...
Democratic primary[91]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Keisha Lance Bottoms 608,264 56.2
Democratic Jason Esteves 201,852 18.7
Democratic Mike Thurmond 139,787 12.9
Democratic Geoff Duncan 75,721 7.0
Democratic Derrick Jackson 25,050 2.3
Democratic Amanda Duffy 18,808 1.7
Democratic Olujimi Brown 12,329 1.1
Total votes 1,081,811 100.0
Close

Independents and minor parties

Libertarian Party

Candidates

Withdrawn

General election

Predictions

More information Source, Ranking ...
Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[93] Tossup September 11, 2025
Inside Elections[94] Tilt R May 19, 2026
Sabato's Crystal Ball[95] Tossup March 19, 2026
Race to the WH[96] Tossup May 19, 2026
RealClearPolitics[97] Tossup June 1, 2026
Close

Post-primary endorsements

Keisha Lance Bottoms (D)
U.S. senators
State legislators
  • Jason Esteves, former Georgia state senator from the 35th district (2023–2025) and former candidate in this election[23]

Polling

Rick Jackson vs. Keisha Lance Bottoms

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[h]
Margin
of error
Rick
Jackson (R)
Keisha Lance
Bottoms (D)
Undecided
Concord Public Opinion Partners (D)[99][D] May 30 – June 2, 2026 510 (LV) ± 4.3% 38% 53% 9%
Echelon Insights[100][H] April 3–9, 2026 407 (LV) ± 6.5% 43% 49% 8%
Close

Burt Jones vs. Keisha Lance Bottoms

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[h]
Margin
of error
Burt
Jones (R)
Keisha Lance
Bottoms (D)
Undecided
Concord Public Opinion Partners (D)[99][D] May 30 – June 2, 2026 510 (LV) ± 4.3% 42% 52% 6%
Echelon Insights[100][H] April 3–9, 2026 407 (LV) ± 6.5% 43% 49% 8%
Close
Hypothetical polling

Brad Raffensperger vs. Keisha Lance Bottoms

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[h]
Margin
of error
Brad
Raffensperger (R)
Keisha Lance
Bottoms (D)
Undecided
Echelon Insights[100][H] April 3–9, 2026 407 (LV) ± 6.5% 44% 46% 10%
Close

Notes

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
  4. Clark Dean with 0.6%
  5. Olinger with 1.7%; Dean with 0.6%; Yasger with 0.9%; Kirkpatrick with 0.3%; Williams with 0.1%
  6. Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  7. Gregg Kirkpatrik with 2%; Clark Dean and LeLand Olinger with 1%; Ken Yasger with 0%
  8. Clark Dean with 1% and 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%
  9. Dean with 1%
  10. Clark Dean, Gregg Kirkpatrick, Tom Williams, and Ken Yasger with <1%
  11. Gregg Kirkpatrick and Leland Olinger II with 2%; Ken Yasger with 1%
  12. "Someone else" with 4%; Gregg Kirkpatrick with 1%; Clark Dean with 1%
  13. Dean with 4%
  14. Clark Dean with 2%; Ken Yasger with 1%
  15. "Someone else/Other" with 1%
  16. Ruwa Romman at 1.0%; Olujimi Brown at 0.3%
  17. Jackson with 1%
  18. Jackson with 2%; Brown with 1%
  19. Jackson with 3%; Brown with <1%
  20. Brown with 1%; Romman with 1%
  21. Brown with 2%; Jackson with 2%

Partisan clients

  1. Poll sponsored by the Democracy Defense Project
  2. Poll sponsored by Nexstar Media
  3. Poll sponsored by Education Reform Now Advocacy
  4. Poll sponsored by Democratic secretary of state candidate Penny Brown Reynolds' campaign
  5. Poll sponsored by Center for Strong Public Schools Action Fund, a center-left nonprofit organization
  6. Poll sponsored by Bottoms's campaign
  7. Poll commissioned by NetChoice

See also

References

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