Who Is Running for Georgia Governor
Democrat Keisha Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson are running for Georgia governor on November 3, 2026. Governor Brian Kemp is term-limited, so the seat is open. Unlike states that pair candidates on a ticket, Georgia elects its lieutenant governor in a separate race (Ballotpedia; Georgia Constitution, Art. V).
Key facts
- The general election is November 3, 2026, with early voting from October 13, 2026 to October 30, 2026 (Ballotpedia).
- Keisha Bottoms won the Democratic primary with 56.2% on May 19, 2026.
- Rick Jackson won the Republican runoff with 52.6% on June 16, 2026.
- All 56 Senate seats and 180 House seats are on the same ballot.
Keisha Bottoms was mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022 and later served as a senior adviser to President Joe Biden, according to Ballotpedia. The lieutenant governor, attorney general and secretary of state races are open too, because each officeholder ran for governor.
Major-party nominees for Georgia governor on the November 3, 2026 ballot
Source: Ballotpedia, Georgia gubernatorial election, 2026, certified results, as of 2026-10-14
Georgia Governor Primary Results
Keisha Bottoms won a seven-way Democratic primary outright, while no Republican reached a majority. Bottoms beat Jason Esteves and Michael Thurmond with 56.2% of 1,081,811 votes. Among Republicans, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones led with 38.4%, and Rick Jackson came second. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Attorney General Chris Carr trailed (Ballotpedia).
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Burt Jones | 38.4% |
| Rick Jackson | 32.5% |
| Brad Raffensperger | 15% |
| Chris Carr | 11.9% |
Source: Ballotpedia, certified results. Four other candidates shared the remaining 2.2%.
Rick Jackson then beat Jones in the June 16, 2026 runoff by 37,532 votes, 52.6% to 47.4%. More votes were cast in the Democratic primary (1,081,811) than the Republican one (933,817). Our primary elections guide explains how each state runs its primaries.
The Georgia Runoff Rule
In Georgia, a candidate needs more than half the vote to win, in a primary or in November. That is why the Republican nomination went to a second round in June. If no one for governor tops 50% on November 3, the top two meet again on December 1, 2026 (Ballotpedia). Overseas and military voters mark ranked ballots so a runoff choice is already on file.
Why Kemp Cannot Run
The Georgia Constitution lets a governor serve two terms in a row, then requires a four-year break (Art. V, sec. I, par. I). Kemp won in 2018 and 2022. He said on May 5, 2025 that he would not run for the U.S. Senate in 2026 against Democrat Jon Ossoff (Ballotpedia).
The new governor takes office at the next session of the General Assembly, on January 11, 2027 (Art. V, sec. I, par. II). Republicans hold 33 of 56 Senate seats and 99 of 180 House seats, according to Ballotpedia. Both chambers are on the same ballot as the governor.
What the Georgia Governor Can Do
Georgia’s governor runs the executive branch, signs or vetoes every bill, and can strike single spending items from the budget. A veto stands unless two-thirds of the members each chamber is entitled to, 38 senators and 120 representatives, vote to override it. Neither party holds that many seats in either chamber today (Art. III, sec. V, par. XIII).
Powers of the Georgia governor
Source: Georgia Constitution of 1983, Articles III and V
How to Vote for Governor
Georgia’s registration deadline is October 5, 2026, four weeks before Election Day, and the state has no Election Day registration. Check your status and polling place on the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.
Georgia's 2026 governor election, step by step
- October 5, 2026 Last day to register Online, in person, or by mail postmarked that day.
- October 13, 2026 to October 30, 2026 Early in-person voting Absentee ballot applications are due October 23, 2026.
- November 3, 2026 Election Day Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.. Mailed ballots must arrive by Election Day.
- December 1, 2026 Runoff, if needed Only if no candidate wins more than half the vote.
- January 11, 2027 New governor takes office The General Assembly convenes and the four-year term begins.
Our 2026 governor races guide covers all 36 races, and our midterm elections explainer covers Georgia’s U.S. Senate race and the rest of the November 3 ballot.
Georgia Governor Questions
Who is running for governor of Georgia in 2026?
Democrat Keisha Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson are the major-party nominees for the November 3, 2026 election.
Can Brian Kemp run for governor again?
No. The Georgia Constitution lets a governor serve one more four-year term in a row, then bars them from running again until four years after their term ends. Kemp won in 2018 and 2022.
Who won the Georgia governor primaries?
On May 19, 2026, Keisha Bottoms won the Democratic primary with 56.2% of the vote. No Republican won a majority, so Burt Jones (38.4%) and Rick Jackson (32.5%) met in a runoff on June 16, 2026, which Rick Jackson won with 52.6%.
What happens if no one gets 50% in November?
The top two candidates meet in a general election runoff on December 1, 2026, according to Ballotpedia’s 2026 election calendar for Georgia.
When does the new Georgia governor take office?
When the General Assembly next meets, on January 11, 2027. The Georgia Constitution installs the governor-elect at the next session, which begins the second Monday in January.
Is there a U.S. Senate race in Georgia in 2026?
Yes. Democrat Jon Ossoff’s Senate seat is on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Kemp said on May 5, 2025 that he would not run for it. The midterm elections explainer covers the Senate races.
What You Can Do
- Check your registration before October 5, 2026 on the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page. After that date you cannot register for November 3.
- Vote early between October 13, 2026 and October 30, 2026 if Election Day is hard for you.
- Watch for a December 1 runoff. If no candidate for governor tops 50% on November 3, the top two face each other again.
- Look up your state senator and representative. Every legislative seat is on the ballot, and they decide whether a veto stands.
- Compare the issues on the line in Georgia: the minimum wage, abortion laws and marijuana laws.