Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, a Republican, has announced he is running in the race for governor in 2026, becoming the first member of either major party to announce his candidacy.
“Today, I filed paperwork to run for Governor in 2026. As a proven conservative, building on the legacy of Brian Kemp, Nathan Deal and Sonny Perdue, I’m running to create jobs for hardworking Georgians, keep our families and our neighborhoods safe, and vigorously defend our constitution and our freedoms,” he said in a post. “Together, we will fight to keep Georgia red.”
Carr has been attorney general of the Peach State since 2016, when he was appointed by then-Gov. Nathan Deal. He won reelection in 2022 with 53% of the vote, and his term is set to expire in 2027.
Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) is term-limited and cannot run for a third term, and both parties are anxious for a shot at the state’s executive slot. Democrats will be looking to prove that President Joe Biden’s win in the state in 2020 wasn’t a fluke, while Republicans will hope to solidify the state as a red stronghold following President-elect Donald Trump’s sweep in the 2024 election.
Carr will likely face a more MAGA-aligned challenger, which state officials are nervous could result in a runoff. The attorney general was targeted, along with Kemp and other Republicans, when Trump refused to accept that the state went to Biden in 2020.
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who is close to Trump, is expected to announce a bid as well, though not until next year.
Jones was being investigated by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis for signing an “unofficial electoral certificate” in 2020. However, the special prosecutor in charge of the fake elector case in Georgia announced they would not charge Jones with anything.
Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler could also announce a bid unless she secures a role in Trump’s administration. She is serving as co-chairwoman of his inaugural committee.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is also expected to make a bid for the Republican spot. He will likely face some headwinds from the Trump camp due to the phone call in which Trump pressed him about finding more Republican votes in the 2020 elections and their resulting fallout.
Carr began laying the groundwork for his gubernatorial campaign last year, building relationships with donors and hoping to follow Kemp’s playbook by uniting traditional conservatives and MAGA Republicans behind him.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“Elections are a game of addition. You’ve got to figure out a way to bring together issues and groups and coalitions,” Carr said during an event in Athens honoring Johnny Isakson. He has also traveled the state, touting his experience taking on violent crime as attorney general.
Democrats are expected to have a large field as well. Stacey Abrams hasn’t ruled out a third bid for governor despite already losing twice to Kemp. Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) may also give it a shot. McBath just won reelection with 74.7% of the vote in Georgia’s 6th District, which encompasses parts of the Atlanta suburbs.
This article was originally published at www.washingtonexaminer.com
