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 also 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 control both of Georgia's U.S. Senate seats. However, Republicans control both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly, hold a majority in Georgia's U.S. House delegation and all statewide executive offices.[2]
As one of only two seats up held by a Democrat in a state that voted for Trump in 2024, Georgia is considered a key Senate battleground in 2026.[3] Most analysts see Ossoff as the most vulnerable Senate Democrat in the 2026 midterm cycle.
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]
- John King, Georgia Insurance Commissioner (2019–present) (if Kemp doesn't run)[6]
Potential
[edit]- Mike Collins, U.S. representative from Georgia's 10th congressional district (2023–present)[7]
- Rich McCormick, U.S. representative from Georgia's 7th congressional district (2023–present)[6][7]
- Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia (2019–present)[8][7]
- Brad Raffensperger, Georgia Secretary of State (2019–present)[7]
- Marjorie Taylor Greene, U.S. representative from Georgia's 14th congressional district (2021–present)[9]
Declined
[edit]- Andrew Clyde, U.S. representative from Georgia's 9th congressional district (2021–present)[10]
General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[11] | Battleground | January 17, 2025 |
| 270toWin[12] | Tossup | January 5, 2025 |
Polling
[edit]Jon Ossoff vs. Buddy Carter
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jon Ossoff (D) |
Buddy Carter (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPA Intelligence (R)[13][A] | January 14-15, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 45% | 32% | 23% |
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)[13][A] | January 14-15, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 44% | 34% | 22% |
Jon Ossoff vs. Brian Kemp
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jon Ossoff (D) |
Brian Kemp (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPA Intelligence (R)[13][A] | January 14-15, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 40% | 46% | 14% |
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)[13][A] | January 14-15, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 47% | 31% | 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)[13][A] | January 14-15, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 44% | 33% | 23% |
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)[13][A] | January 14-15, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 46% | 32% | 22% |
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 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.
- ^ a b c d Allison, Natalie (January 16, 2025). "GOP poll shows Kemp beating Ossoff in hypothetical Georgia Senate matchup". Politico. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ Gans, Jared (November 28, 2024). "7 most competitive Senate races in 2026". The Hill. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ Suter, Tara (December 12, 2024). "Ossoff says Greene in Senate would be 'disaster for the country'". The Hill. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
- ^ 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 'focused on and happy serving [Northeast] GA in the House,' a spokesperson said.
- ^ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate Interactive Map". 270toWin. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Allison, Natalie (January 16, 2025). "GOP poll shows Kemp beating Ossoff in hypothetical Georgia Senate matchup". Politico.