Can he win?
Georgia’s political landscape is brimming with anticipation as Republicans eagerly await a major decision from Governor Brian Kemp. The popular two-term governor is currently the subject of much speculation regarding whether he will challenge Senator Jon Ossoff in 2026. Many conservatives believe that Kemp would be the strongest candidate to face Ossoff, a first-term senator who pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent political history by defeating a Trump-backed Republican in 2020.
Conservative commentator Erick Erickson recently described the situation as a “parlor game” in Georgia, with political insiders and GOP activists eagerly discussing whether Kemp will enter the race. While Governor Kemp has made no definitive statements about his future plans, he continues to focus on his current role in Georgia’s legislature, particularly his efforts to pass important tort reform measures before the state legislature’s session concludes in April.
Despite his focus on his gubernatorial duties, Kemp has remained active in supporting fellow Republicans, including helping House candidates and President Trump in Georgia during the last election cycle. His leadership and commitment to the state are central to his appeal among conservative voters.
The pressure for Kemp to run against Ossoff is intensifying. Republican Senator Tim Scott from South Carolina has openly stated that Kemp would be the ideal candidate to flip Georgia’s Senate seat. A recent poll from the conservative Club for Growth also indicated that Kemp is the only Republican who could consistently beat Ossoff in hypothetical match-ups.
If Kemp decides against entering the race, Republicans have other potential candidates who are ready to step up. Representatives Buddy Carter and John King have expressed interest in running, while Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has not ruled out a Senate bid. Additionally, Representative Rich McCormick is reportedly weighing a run, with his campaign stressing the importance of standing up against the Biden administration’s radical policies.
Though Kemp remains the clear frontrunner, Republicans know that they have a deep bench of potential contenders, which could still make for a competitive race. Even without Kemp, Georgia is considered a solidly red state, and the GOP is confident in its ability to challenge Ossoff. However, the lack of a strong, unifying candidate could lead to a messy primary.
The stakes are high for the GOP. In 2022, Republicans missed an opportunity to win a Senate seat due to the struggles of Herschel Walker, who was hobbled by personal controversies. Republicans are determined not to let the same mistake happen again, and they are hopeful that the right candidate—potentially Brian Kemp—can rise to the challenge.
As Georgia’s political future hangs in the balance, one thing is clear: the race for Senate is heating up, and Republicans are ready to do whatever it takes to take back control of the state’s Senate seat.