Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp passes on running for Senate
First-term Sen. Jon Ossoff is considered the most endangered Democratic incumbent next cycle.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will not run for Senate in 2026 — putting an already competitive seat up for grabs. The popular Republican would have been a prime recruit against first-term Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.
“I have decided that being on the ballot next year is not the right decision for me and my family,” Kemp 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.”
Kemp shared the news publicly after POLITICO reported that three people familiar with the decision said he would not run. Without Kemp in the race, Republicans may face an unpredictable primary that could include divisive candidates like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Kemp’s decision was a letdown for Republicans both in Washington and in Georgia.
“It’s like, wow, not necessarily the news we wanted to hear,” said former Cobb County GOP Chair Jason Shepherd.
Kemp had been seen by many Republicans as the strongest opponent to put up against Ossoff in the midterms. An Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll last week showed Kemp and Ossoff within the poll’s margin of error. President Donald Trump carried the state by about 2 percentage points in November, and it is a top target of Republicans.
“Obviously we’re disappointed,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune. “He would have been a great candidate. But I’ve said all along that seat’s going to be competitive, and the good news is there’s lots of interest.”
Kemp’s decision comes after Ossoff last month reported raising $11 million in the first quarter of the year, an enormous sum for a Senate incumbent in an off year. Democrats were taking a victory lap after Kemp decided not to run.
“Brian Kemp’s decision to not run for Senate in 2026 is yet another embarrassing Republican Senate recruitment failure,” said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Communications Director Maeve Coyle. “Senate Republicans’ toxic agenda and recruitment failures put their majority at risk in 2026.”
The Senate map otherwise looked favorable to Republicans, with few incumbent GOP senators facing tough races next November. Democrats, meanwhile, have seen several senior senators retire this cycle, including in New Hampshire and Michigan.
“While Jon Ossoff is running to impeach President Trump, Republicans have a number of strong candidates who can build a winning coalition to add this seat to President Trump’s Senate Majority,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee Communications Director Joanna Rodriguez.
Kemp’s decision leaves open the possibility of a presidential campaign in 2028. Shepherd said that Kemp in recent months has been crisscrossing the state for bill signings and “utilizing his office to continue to get a positive name out there.”