Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp won鈥檛 run for US Senate seat in 2026 against Democrat Jon Ossoff
May 5, 2025, 12:00 PM
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signs legislation into law addressing eduction and school safety policies at the state Capitol on Monday, April 28, 2025, in Atlanta. (Matthew Pearson/WABE via AP)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
(Matthew Pearson/WABE via AP)
ATLANTA (AP) 鈥� Brian Kemp, Georgia鈥檚 Republican governor, announced Monday that he鈥檚 not running for U.S. Senate in 2026 against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff.
Kemp, who will leave the governor鈥檚 chair in 2027 after eight years due to term limits, has long been at the top of the GOP鈥檚 wish list to challenge Ossoff, whom Republican leaders have made their biggest target in next year鈥檚 midterm elections. His decision not to run will likely result in a competitive primary among candidates who have never won a top statewide race.
鈥淚 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,鈥� Kemp said in a statement.
