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By Gabe Whisnant
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Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has decided not to run for the U.S. Senate in 2026.
Kemp, a well-known and popular Republican figure in Georgia politics, was widely seen as the strongest potential challenger to Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, who is seeking a second term.
He put out a lengthy statement on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday afternoon:
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"Over the last few weeks, I have had many conversations with friends, supporters, and leaders across the country who encouraged me to run for the US Senate in 2026. I greatly appreciate their support and prayers for our family.
After those discussions, I have decided that being on the ballot next year is not the right decision for me and my family.
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.
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, Taylor Greene Have Large Polling Divide vs. Ossoff
With Kemp out, polarizing firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene could further complicate the GOP's path to unseating Ossoff in a vulnerable Senate seat.
A new poll from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, conducted between April 15 and April 24 among 1,000 registered Georgia voters, found that voters preferred Ossoff over Greene by a 17-point margin—the largest gap in the survey—in a hypothetical race, with the Democrat getting 54 percent of the vote compared to 37 percent for the congresswoman.
The result was largely driven by Greene's unpopularity with independents, 60 percent of whom said they would back Ossoff in a matchup, and moderate Republicans, with nearly 10 percent of President Donald Trump's voters saying they would also back the incumbent.
The same survey found that Kemp was tops among possible GOP contenders, leading within the margin of error at 49 percent to Ossoff's 46 percent. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
Newsweek has reached out to the Georgia Republican Party via email on Monday afternoon for comment.
Georgia Among Key 2026 Senate Battleground Races
The 2026 U.S. Senate midterm elections are poised to be highly competitive, with control of the chamber at stake. Republicans currently hold a 53–47 majority, including two independents who caucus with Democrats. Democrats aim to flip at least four seats to regain control, a challenging task given that 23 of the 35 seats up for election are held by Republicans 270toWin.com.
In Michigan, Senator Gary Peters' retirement has created an open seat in a state that also favored Trump in the last presidential election, making it a prime target for Republicans. New Hampshire's open seat, following Senator Jeanne Shaheen's retirement, adds to the competitive landscape. In North Carolina, Senator Thom Tillis is up for re-election in a state that has shown increasing competitiveness, with potential Democratic challengers like former Governor Roy Cooper considering a run.
Overall, more than a dozen members of Congress have already announced they will not seek reelection in 2026, setting the stage for what could be a transformative midterm election cycle, with control of both chambers hanging in the balance.
What People Are Saying
Jon Ossoff for U.S. Senate campaign manager Ellen Foster said in a statement sent to Newsweek via email, "As we've said for the past few months, Senator Ossoff is well-prepared to defeat any challenger. As Republicans scramble in the aftermath, our campaign will continue to build insurmountable momentum needed to win next November."
Taylor Greene said in a statement to Newsweek, "Governor Kemp has been a great governor for the state of Georgia. I wish him and his family well in all their future endeavors."
What to Know About Brian Kemp
Kemp has served as the governor of Georgia since 2019. Before becoming governor, Kemp was Georgia's secretary of state from 2010 to 2018, where he oversaw elections and was known for implementing strict voter ID laws and purging voter rolls—moves that drew criticism from voting rights advocates. He previously served in the Georgia State Senate from 2003 to 2007.
Kemp rose to national prominence during the 2018 gubernatorial race, where he faced Democrat Stacey Abrams in one of the most closely watched contests in the country. Kemp won narrowly, in a race marked by allegations of voter suppression, especially given his dual role as a candidate and the state's top elections official. Despite the controversy, Kemp maintained strong support among Georgia's Republican base.
In office, Kemp has positioned himself as a staunch conservative, backing tax cuts, expanding gun rights, and signing a restrictive abortion law in 2019. He also drew national attention in 2020 for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming one of the first governors to reopen his state amid lockdowns, a move that sparked both praise and criticism.
Kemp faced significant backlash from Trump after he certified former President Joe Biden's narrow 2020 victory in Georgia. Despite Trump's efforts to unseat him, Kemp handily defeated a Trump-backed primary challenger in 2022 and went on to win re-election against Stacey Abrams by a wide margin.
Update: 5/5/25, 3:05 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 5/5/25, 5:48 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 5/5/25, 7:01 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
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