2026 United States Senate election in Georgia
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| Elections in Georgia |
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The 2026 United States Senate election in Georgia will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Georgia. Incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, who was first elected in 2021 is running for re-election to a second term in office. Republican U.S. Representative Buddy Carter has publicly expressed interest in running. Other potential Republican candidates include Burt Jones, Kelly Loeffler, Brad Raffensperger, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Governor Brian Kemp, who will be term-limited in 2026. Along with Michigan, this will be one of two Democratic-held Senate seats up for election in 2026 in a state that Donald Trump won in the 2024 presidential election.
Background
[edit]Georgia is considered to be a purple to slightly red state at the federal level. It was a top battleground state in the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. The state backed Joe Biden by 0.24% and Donald Trump by 2.2%, respectively.[1]
Both parties have seen success in the state in recent years. Democrats hold both of Georgia's U.S. Senate seats. Republicans hold all statewide executive offices, control both chambers of the legislature, and hold a majority in Georgia's U.S. House delegation.[2]
As one of only two seats up held by a Democrat in a state that voted for Trump in 2024, the race is expected to be competitive in 2026.[3]
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Jon Ossoff, incumbent U.S. Senator (2021–present)[4]
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Buddy Carter, U.S. Representative from Georgia's 1st congressional district (2015–present)[5]
- Mike Collins, U.S. representative from Georgia's 10th congressional district (2023–present) (if Kemp doesn't run)[6]
- Marjorie Taylor Greene, U.S. representative from Georgia's 14th congressional district (2021–present)[7]
- Tyler Harper, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner (2023–present) (if Kemp doesn't run)[8]
- John King, Georgia Insurance Commissioner (2019–present) (if Kemp doesn't run)[9]
- Rich McCormick, U.S. representative from Georgia's 7th congressional district (2023–present) (if Kemp doesn't run)[10]
Potential
[edit]- Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia (2019–present)[11][12]
- Brad Raffensperger, Georgia Secretary of State (2019–present)[12]
Declined
[edit]- Andrew Clyde, U.S. representative from Georgia's 9th congressional district (2021–present)[13] (running for re-election)[14]
Endorsements
[edit]Brian Kemp (undeclared)
- U.S. senators
- Tim Scott, U.S. Senator from South Carolina (2013–present)[6]
- U.S. representatives
- Mike Collins, U.S. representative from Georgia's 10th congressional district (2023–present)[6]
- Local officials
- Erick Erickson, former Macon city councilor (2007–2011)[6]
General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[15] | Battleground | January 17, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report[16] | Tossup | February 11, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[17] | Tossup | February 13, 2025 |
Polling
[edit]Hypothetical polling
Jon Ossoff vs. Generic Republican
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jon Ossoff (D) |
Generic Republican |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cygnal (R)[18] | March 9–10, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 44% | 44% | 16% |
Jon Ossoff vs. Brad Raffensperger
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jon Ossoff (D) |
Brad Raffensperger (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPA Intelligence (R)[19][A] | January 14–15, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 46% | 32% | 22% |
Jon Ossoff vs. Brian Kemp
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jon Ossoff (D) |
Brian Kemp (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantus Insights[20] | February 11–13, 2025 | 800 (RV) | ± 3.5% | 45% | 48% | 7% |
| Tyson Group (R)[21] | January 30–31, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 42% | 49% | 8% |
| WPA Intelligence (R)[19][A] | January 14–15, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 40% | 46% | 14% |
Jon Ossoff vs. Buddy Carter
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jon Ossoff (D) |
Buddy Carter (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyson Group (R)[21] | January 30–31, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 47% | 39% | 13% |
| WPA Intelligence (R)[19][A] | January 14–15, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 45% | 32% | 23% |
Jon Ossoff vs. John King
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jon Ossoff (D) |
John King (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPA Intelligence (R)[19][A] | January 14–15, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 47% | 31% | 22% |
Jon Ossoff vs. Marjorie Taylor Greene
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jon Ossoff (D) |
Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyson Group (R)[21] | January 30–31, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 51% | 39% | 9% |
Jon Ossoff vs. Mike Collins
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jon Ossoff (D) |
Mike Collins (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPA Intelligence (R)[19][A] | January 14–15, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 44% | 34% | 22% |
Jon Ossoff vs. Rich McCormick
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jon Ossoff (D) |
Rich McCormick (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPA Intelligence (R)[19][A] | January 14–15, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 44% | 33% | 23% |
Notes
[edit]Partisan clients
References
[edit]- ^ Kates, Graham (November 6, 2024). "Trump wins Georgia in 2024 presidential election, CBS News projects. See county-by-county results". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ "2 Republican incumbents lose in Georgia House, but overall Democratic gains are limited". AP News. November 6, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ "Democrats Rush to Regroup in the Southern Battlegrounds". The New York Times.
- ^ Bluestein, Greg (December 4, 2024). "Jon Ossoff lays the groundwork for 2026 reelection campaign". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
- ^ Solender, Andrew (November 27, 2024). "Scoop: A huge wave of House members is eyeing runs for other offices in 2026". Axios. Archived from the original on November 28, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Vakil, Caroline (January 16, 2025). "Kemp keeps Republicans on edge as he mulls Georgia Senate bid". The Hill. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
- ^ Bluestein, Greg; Mitchell, Tia; Murphy, Patricia; Beam, Adam (February 7, 2025). "Marjorie Taylor Greene doesn't rule out run for governor or U.S. Senate". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (February 27, 2025). "Morning Digest: Like snowbirds, pols from across the country are eyeing this Florida district". The Downballot. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper revealed his interest in running for the Senate on Wednesday by posting a picture of himself visiting the offices of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
- ^ Bluestein, Greg; Mitchell, Tia; Murphy, Patricia; Beam, Adam (December 18, 2024). "John King outlines potential run for U.S. Senate if Brian Kemp stays out". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ Bluestein, Greg. "The Kemp Factor: How one decision will shape Georgia's 2026 Senate race". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ Gans, Jared (November 28, 2024). "7 most competitive Senate races in 2026". The Hill. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ a b Allison, Natalie (January 16, 2025). "GOP poll shows Kemp beating Ossoff in hypothetical Georgia Senate matchup". Politico. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ Solender, Andrew (December 12, 2024). "GOP Rep. Ciscomani passes on run for Arizona governor". Axios. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) is not considering a run for Senate or governor and his [sic] 'focused on and happy serving [Northeast] GA in the House,' a spokesperson said.
- ^ Daughtry, Will (February 6, 2025). "Amid primary challenge, Rep. Andrew Clyde talks 2026 reelection bid". WDUN-FM. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
- ^ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ Bluestein, Greg; Mitchell, Tia; Murphy, Patricia; Beam, Adam (March 12, 2025). "Vote to block transgender bill could hurt Jon Ossoff, new poll finds". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on March 12, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Allison, Natalie (January 16, 2025). "GOP poll shows Kemp beating Ossoff in hypothetical Georgia Senate matchup". Politico.
- ^ "February 2025 – Georgia 2026 Senate race". Quantus Insights. February 14, 2025. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ a b c Sforza, Lauren (February 13, 2025). "Trump-loving Marjorie Taylor Greene gets some bad polling news". NJ.com. Retrieved March 3, 2025.