Republican Gov. Brian Kemp will not run against Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in 2026.
Politico first broke the news, which was then confirmed by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“I have decided that being on the ballot next year is not the right decision for me and my family,” Kemp, an Athens native, said in a statement posted on X. “I spoke with President Trump and Senate leadership earlier today and expressed my commitment to work alongside them to ensure we have a strong Republican nominee who can win next November.”
Ossoff is considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats up for re-election, and he’ll still face a tough race, but the road is easier without the popular governor running against him. Kemp has a 60% approval rating, and polls showed him with a slight lead against Ossoff.
Kemp probably would have cleared the field had he run, but now, a crowded GOP primary is likely. Potential candidates include Insurance Commissioner John King (a Kemp ally), Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and U.S. Reps. Mike Collins, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Buddy Carter and Rich McCormick. A recent AJC poll showed Ossoff with a 17-point lead over Greene, a 13-point lead over King and a nine-point lead over Raffensperger.
“As we’ve said for the past few months, Senator Ossoff is well-prepared to defeat any challenger,” the Ossoff campaign said in a statement. “As Republicans scramble in the aftermath, our campaign will continue to build insurmountable momentum needed to win next November.”
Although Kemp is term-limited, his political career may not be over — he is widely rumored to be considering a run for president in 2028.
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