May 5, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Gov. Brian Kemp passes on Georgia Senate race

Stef W. Kight

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks to a reporter in the CNN Spin Room ahead of a CNN Presidential Debate — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will not run for the Senate, despite wooing from Senate GOP leadership, Axios has confirmed.

Why it matters: Kemp was by far the Republican Party's strongest potential candidate as it tries to take back the Georgia seat from Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) in the 2026 midterms.

Politico first reported the news on Monday, which Kemp confirmed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Zoom in: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and NRSC Chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.) personally lobbied the governor to run, but to no avail.

In March, Scott told Axios that there were three top backup decisions, but that "if [Kemp] runs, he wins.

Who to watch: Other potential GOP contenders include Reps. Rich McCormick, Buddy Carter and Mike Collins.

MAGA firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has also been eyeing the seat.

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Gov. Brian Kemp passes on Georgia Senate race

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