Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) has decided not to run for Senate.
Kemp, a popular Republican figure in Georgia, was widely seen as the strongest potential challenger to Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, who is seeking a second term.
In a post on X, Kemp said running for the Senate in 2026 is not the right decision for him.
“I have decided that being on the ballot next year is not the right decision for me and my family,” he wrote.
“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, and ultimately be a conservative voice in the US Senate who will put hardworking Georgians first,” he continued. “I am confident we will be united in that important effort, and I look forward to electing the next generation of leaders up and down the ballot here in the Peach State who will keep our state and nation headed in the right direction in 2026 and beyond.”
Kemp’s decision is a boost for Ossoff as the popular two-term Republican governor was seen as his strongest Republican challenger.
Without Kemp in the race, Republicans may face a crowded primary that could include candidates like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).
A recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll of the four most likely Republican challengers against Ossoff in hypothetical face-offs, shows Kemp polling the strongest, 49 percent to Ossoff 46 percent.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger received 39 percent to Ossoff’s 48 percent. Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King got 38 percent to Ossoff’s 51 percent.
Greene, meanwhile, was dead last. She polled at 37 percent and Ossoff came out on top at 54 percent in their hypothetical Senate race.
