Brian Kemp Won’t Run for US Senate in 2026
Brian Kemp Won’t Run for US Senate in 2026
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has announced that he will not be a candidate in the U.S. Senate election in Georgia in 2026.
A Republican serving his second and final term as governor, Kemp has long been seen as the prime candidate for the Republican nomination in the election.
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), who is seeking reelection, won his Senate seat in 2020, when former Vice President Joe Biden won the state—and the presidential election.
President Donald Trump won the state in 2024. Hence, the GOP views Georgia as a prime battleground to grow its Senate majority during the 2026 midterm congressional elections.
Kemp said he had consulted with many people about the race but decided against running for personal reasons.
“I have had many conversations with friends, supporters, and leaders across the country who encouraged me to run for the US Senate in 2026...[a]fter those discussions, I have decided that being on the ballot next year is not the right decision for me and my family,” Kemp wrote on social media.
Kemp’s profile in federal Republican politics has been largely defined by his relationship with Trump, who endorsed him for the state’s gubernatorial race in 2018, which he narrowly won against former State Rep. Stacey Abrams (D) while serving as Georgia’s secretary of state.
Kemp’s relationship with Trump soured in 2020 when he disagreed with Trump’s challenge of the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state, which Biden won by fewer than 12,000 votes. Kemp was reelected as governor in 2022 by a large margin over Abrams in a rematch after Trump opposed him in the Republican primary.
During the 2024 election, their relationship improved. In his May 5 message regarding the Senate election, Kemp wrote that he had spoken with Trump about the decision and committed to supporting the eventual Republican gubernatorial nominee.
Democrats were gleeful about Kemp dropping out.
“Brian Kemp’s decision to not run for the Senate in 2026 is yet another embarrassing Republican Senate recruitment failure as they face a building midterm backlash,” wrote Maeve Coyle, communications director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), on social media.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which is the DSCC’s counterpart and is responsible for electing Republicans to the U.S. Senate, made no mention of Kemp’s decision in response to the news and indicated confidence about the Georgia race.
“While Jon Ossoff is running to impeach President Trump, Republicans have a number of strong candidates who can build a winning coalition to add this seat to President Trump’s Senate Majority,” wrote Joanna Rodriguez, the NRSC’s spokesperson, in a statement circulated to multiple news organizations.
Several Republicans in Georgia have been mentioned as possible candidates. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is reported to be interested. A poll conducted by the Trafalgar Group, which is the GOP’s primary polling vendor, showed Greene with 43 percent support in a primary without Kemp—leading the next potential candidate by double-digits.
Army Suspends Blackhawk Flights to Pentagon After New Scare
May 6, 2025
2 min
Newark Airport Lost Radar and Radio Communication with Pilots for 90 Seconds
May 6, 2025
3 min
Trump to Super-Charge Deportations Using Local Cops
May 6, 2025
2 min
Mike Myers, Michael B. Jordan First Celebs Named in Diddy Trial
May 6, 2025
3 min
Trump Bans Federal Funding for Gain-of-Function Research
May 6, 2025
1 min
Signal Clone Used by Govt Officials Hacked
May 6, 2025
4 min
Trump Offers Illegal Aliens $1,000 to Self Deport
May 5, 2025
1 min
Israel to Capture All of Gaza, Officials Say
May 5, 2025
1 min
Trump Announces 2027 NFL Draft Will Be in Washington
May 5, 2025
1 min
Mike Pence Receives JFK Courage Award for Jan 6
May 5, 2025
3 min
DOGE, Treasury Discover $334M in Improper Payment
May 5, 2025
2 min
Trump Orders 100% Tariff on Foreign-Made Movies
May 5, 2025
2 min
Antarctica Gains Ice for First Time in Decades: Study
May 5, 2025
1 min
Virginia GOP Rocked by Gay-Porn Scandal
May 5, 2025
3 min
Putin, Xi to Sign 'Series' of Deals in Moscow Summit
May 5, 2025
2 min
Trump Orders Reopening of Alcatraz Prison
May 5, 2025
2 min
Update: Israel Readying Massive Response to Houthis and Iran After Airport Missile Attack
May 5, 2025
1 min
Mexico President Rejects Trump Offer to Send Troops to Stop Drug Cartels
May 5, 2025
2 min
Dozens Rescued from Sinking Yacht Off Miami Beach
May 5, 2025
<1 min
Brazil: Police Foil Bomb Attack on Lady Gaga Concert
May 5, 2025
2 min