The 2026 United States Senate election in Georgia will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Georgia. Incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, who was first elected in 2021 is running for re-election to a second term in office. Republican U.S. Representative Buddy Carter has publicly expressed interest in running. Other potential Republican candidates include Burt Jones, Kelly Loeffler, Brad Raffensperger, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Governor Brian Kemp, who will be term-limited in 2026. Along with Michigan, this will be one of two Democratic-held Senate seats up for election in 2026 in a state that Donald Trump won in the 2024 presidential election.
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Background
editGeorgia is considered to be a purple state at the federal level. It was also a top battleground state in the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. The state backed Joe Biden by 0.24% and Donald Trump by 2.2%, respectively.[1]
Both parties have seen success in the state in recent years. Democrats control both of Georgia's U.S. Senate seats. However, Republicans control both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly, hold a majority in Georgia's U.S. House delegation and all statewide executive offices.[2]
As one of only two seats up held by a Democrat in a state that voted for Trump in 2024, Georgia is considered a key Senate battleground in 2026.[3]
Democratic primary
editCandidates
editDeclared
edit- Jon Ossoff, incumbent U.S. Senator (2021–present)[4]
Republican primary
editCandidates
editPublicly expressed interest
edit- Buddy Carter, U.S. Representative from Georgia's 1st congressional district (2015–present)[5][6]
- John King, Georgia Insurance Commissioner (2019–present) (if Kemp doesn't run)[7]
Potential
edit- Geoff Duncan, former Lieutenant Governor of Georgia (2019–2023)[8]
- Rich McCormick, U.S. representative from Georgia's 6th congressional district (2023–present)[7]
- Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia (2019–present)[9]
- Kelly Loeffler, former U.S. Senator (2020–2021)[10]
- Brad Raffensperger, Georgia Secretary of State (2019–present)[10]
- Marjorie Taylor Greene, U.S. representative from Georgia's 14th congressional district (2021–present)[11]
Declined
edit- Andrew Clyde, U.S. representative from Georgia's 9th congressional district (2021–present)[12]
References
edit- ^ Kates, Graham (November 6, 2024). "Trump wins Georgia in 2024 presidential election, CBS News projects. See county-by-county results". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ "2 Republican incumbents lose in Georgia House, but overall Democratic gains are limited". AP News. November 6, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ "Democrats Rush to Regroup in the Southern Battlegrounds".
- ^ Bluestein, Greg (December 4, 2024). "Jon Ossoff lays the groundwork for 2026 reelection campaign". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
- ^ Nelson, Craig (May 22, 2024). "Carter says he's weighing 2026 run against Ossoff". TheCurrentGA. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Solender, Andrew (November 27, 2024). "Scoop: A huge wave of House members is eyeing runs for other offices in 2026". Axios. Archived from the original on November 28, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Bluestein, Greg; Mitchell, Tia; Murphy, Patricia; Beam, Adam (December 18, 2024). "John King outlines potential run for U.S. Senate if Brian Kemp stays out". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ Bluestein, Greg (August 2, 2024). "Why the Georgia GOP wants to exile Geoff Duncan from the party". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Gans, Jared (November 28, 2024). "7 most competitive Senate races in 2026". The Hill. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ a b Bluestein, Greg (May 29, 2024). "US Rep. Lucy McBath says she's open to 2026 bid for Georgia governor". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Suter, Tara (December 12, 2024). "Ossoff says Greene in Senate would be 'disaster for the country'". The Hill. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
- ^ Solender, Andrew (December 12, 2024). "GOP Rep. Ciscomani passes on run for Arizona governor". Axios. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) is not considering a run for Senate or governor and his 'focused on and happy serving [Northeast] GA in the House,' a spokesperson said.