A competitive governor’s race takes shape in Georgia

July 31, 2025

Georgia's 2026 gubernatorial race is heating up as term-limited Republican Governor Brian Kemp prepares to leave office. Republican contenders include Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and Attorney General Chris Carr, while Democratic candidates include State Senator Jason Esteves, State Representative Derrick Jackson, and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. This election holds significant importance as Georgia has transformed into a battleground state, with recent elections showing narrow margins of victory between parties.

Who is affected

Georgia voters and residents
Women subject to Georgia's six-week abortion ban
Families like that of Adriana Smith, affected by Georgia's abortion laws
Democrats and Republicans in Georgia's political landscape
Constituencies represented by the various candidates

What action is being taken

Several prominent Democrats and Republicans are announcing bids for the 2026 governor's race
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is opting to run for reelection to the U.S. House instead of governor
Georgia's six-week abortion ban, signed in 2022, is actively restricting abortion access in the state

Why it matters

Georgia has transformed from a Republican stronghold to a key battleground state
State-level governance has become increasingly important as the Supreme Court and Congress delegate policy on abortion, child care, and LGBTQ+ rights to states
Georgia's abortion ban has led to serious consequences, including reported deaths of women seeking to end pregnancies
The 2026 elections will include 36 governorships, with several competitive races in states won by the opposing party's presidential candidate

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The 19th