As Gov. Brian Kemp is term-limited, Georgia voters will choose a new governor in the 2026 general election on Nov. 3.
It’s a race that will shape the state’s political direction and comes as the state remains one of the nation’s most closely watched battlegrounds, with razor-thin margins, and national attention.
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The road to the Governor’s Mansion begins with party primaries on May 19. If no candidate earns a majority, primary runoffs will be held June 16, followed by the general election on Nov. 3.
Candidates must file to run by March 6, 2026, setting the stage for what is expected to be a crowded and closely scrutinized race.
Below you’ll find details on the candidates running for both the Democratic and Republican nominations, as well as key dates and results as they become available.
This page will be updated throughout the cycle as the field evolves, campaigns launch, and voters begin to weigh who should lead Georgia’s executive branch next.
Here are the key dates for Georgia’s 2026 gubernatorial election
- Candidate filing period: March 2-6, 2026
- Primary election: May 19, 2026
- Primary runoff (if needed): June 16, 2026
- General election: Nov. 3, 2026
- General election runoff (if needed): Dec. 1, 2026
Who are the Democratic candidates?
| Candidate | Website |
|---|---|
| Keisha Lance Bottoms | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
| Olu Brown | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
| Geoff Duncan | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
| Jason Esteves | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
| Derrick Jackson | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
| Ruwa Romman | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
| Michael Thurmond | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
Who are the Republican candidates?
| Candidate | Website |
|---|---|
| Chris Carr | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
| Clark Dean | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
| Burt Jones | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
| Gregg Kirkpatrick | Ballotpedia | Facebook |
| Leland Olinger II | Ballotpedia | Facebook |
| Brad Raffensperger | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
| Kenneth Yasger | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
Candidates are updated as of 12/24/2025.
When are the debates?
Candidate debates, typically organized by The Atlanta Press Club, have not been announced.