So we’re sixteen days out from the presidential election, naturally, that means it’s time for the next campaign to begin. Likely hoping to take some advantage as the first one really in, Attorney General Chris Car announced on Thursday that he has formally started the process to run for governor in 2026.
“Over the next few months, we will begin to organize, capitalize and do the hard work necessary to keep Georgia the number one place in which to live, work, raise a family and build a business,” said Carr. “The 2024 election was a historic night for Republicans. There’s a groundswell of support around the country for strong conservative leadership. The time is now to prioritize better jobs, make our communities safer, and reverse the left’s failed immigration policies. I am and will remain committed to furthering these principles, just as I’ve done as your Attorney General.”
The 52 year-old Carr was Chief of Staff for Senator Johnny Isakson for six years and then was Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development from November 2013 to November 2016. Appointed by Governor Nathan Deal to fill the seat vacated by former Attorney General Sam Olens, Carr was elected to a full term in the 2018 elections and then re-elected in 2022. With no term limits for attorneys general, Carr is just the fourth since 1981.
Carr would be the first attorney general since Ellis Arnall in 1943 to successfully run for governor. He has quite the record to run on in a Republican primary – defending the state’s abortion laws, suing to invalidate the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and supporting the revision to Georgia’s voting regulations.
He will likely face some stiff opposition from close Georgia Trump ally Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones. Jones is rumored to very likely run and will certainly have some close allies from the president to back his campaign. The first two years of the Trump administration could have an impact on the election. If all goes well, a challenge to a Trump ally could be tough. Then again, Trump allies have certainly lost Georgia primaries before. The David Perdue challenge of Governor Brian Kemp comes to mind. Trump strongly backed former Senator Perdue but the incumbent Kemp routed him 73-22.
On the Democrat side, no one has gotten in yet but a few names are rumored. Congresswoman Lucy McBath (D-GA 7 – but about to be 6) has won election four times, first in the 6th district before facing a newly gerrymandered district in 2022 and jumping to the 7th before another round of redistricting pushed her back to the 6th.
Former DeKalb County CEO, Labor Commissioner and Georgia House member from the 67th District Mike Thurmond is also rumored to be a possible candidate. The 71 year-old Thurmond has had a long political career, first elected to the State House in 1987 but age does not seem to be a big issue these days, and may have an even smaller impact on state elections. Thurmond certainly has strong contacts across the state but has been out of the state spotlight for more than a decade.
Other names are certain to emerge but unlike the Republican side with Carr and Jones, there is no clear heir for the next election. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are unlikely to step down from their current spots to run and other statewide known Democrats are rare. But after a statewide primary, name ID is a thing that can be developed. Someone will catch on.
