Kemp Won’t Challenge Democrat Jon Ossoff For US Senate Seat In 2026 Midterm Race

ATLANTA — Brian Kemp, Georgia’s popular Republican governor whose term ends in January 2027, said Monday that he will not run for U.S. Senate in 2026 against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff.

Kemp has long been at the top of the GOP’s wish list to challenge Ossoff, whom Republican leaders have made their biggest target in next year’s midterm elections.

In recent weeks, Kemp said in a social media post Monday, he talked with friends, supporters, and leaders who encouraged him to run for the US Senate in 2026, but said, "After those discussions, I have decided that being on the ballot next year is not the right decision for me and my family."

Republicans in D.C. and Georgia were disappointed with Kemp’s decision not to challenge the first-term Democratic senator.

“It’s like wow, not necessarily the news we wanted to hear,” former Cobb County GOP chairJason Shepherd told Politico.

An Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll last week showed Kemp and Ossoff in a dead heat within the poll’s margin of error.

The poll suggested 49% of likely voters supported Kemp, while Ossoff received 46%. Other GOP prospects, such as Brad Raffensperger, insurance commissioner John King and firebrand U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, trailed Ossoff in the AJC's poll.

“Obviously we’re disappointed,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune. “He would have been a great candidate. But I’ve said all along that seat’s going to be competitive and the good news is there’s lots of interest.”

Kemp pledged to work to help get a Republican elected to the Senate.

“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,” Kemp said in a statement.

U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter is likely to run, while U.S. Reps. Mike Collins and Rich McCormick and Insurance Commissioner John King could also be candidates.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who was passed over for a position in the Trump administration, has has said she’s considering running for Senate or governor in 2026.

Here is Kemp's full statement:

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.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.