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Georgia gubernatorial election, 2026

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2022
Governor of Georgia
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General election
Election details
Filing deadline: March 6, 2026
Primary: May 19, 2026
Primary runoff: June 16, 2026
General: November 3, 2026
General runoff: June 16, 2026
How to vote
Poll times:

7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voting in Georgia

Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Toss-up
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Lean Republican
Inside Elections: Tilt Republican
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness
State executive elections in 2026
Impact of term limits in 2026
State government trifectas
State government triplexes
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
Georgia
executive elections
Governor

Lieutenant Governor
Attorney General
Secretary of State
Agriculture Commissioner
Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
Labor Commissioner
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Public Service Commission (2 seats)

Georgia is holding an election for governor on November 3, 2026.

To learn more about other elections on the ballot, click here.

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

  • Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
  • Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for Governor of Georgia

The following candidates are running in the general election for Governor of Georgia on November 3, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

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Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "Leland “Jake” Olinger is a Republican candidate for Governor of Georgia in 2026. A former stay-at-home dad, advocate, and songwriter, he has built his campaign on family law reform, marijuana legalization, mental health support, and economic reform. Olinger previously ran for Georgia State Senate in 2022 and 2024, growing his support significantly. He is also the founder of the nonprofit Big Daddy J Breaking Cycles, focused on breaking patterns of abuse and supporting families."


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


1. Fix the System, Protect Families – Reform family law, child support enforcement, and mental health services so parents and children are supported, not punished.


Keep More in Your Pocket – Real tax reform that lowers burdens on working families while rewarding businesses that invest in Georgia communities.


Legalize, Grow, Prosper – Legalize marijuana to boost Georgia’s economy, create jobs, and give families and small businesses new opportunities.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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1. Fix the System, Protect Families – Reform family law, child support enforcement, and mental health services so parents and children are supported, not punished.

Keep More in Your Pocket – Real tax reform that lowers burdens on working families while rewarding businesses that invest in Georgia communities.

Legalize, Grow, Prosper – Legalize marijuana to boost Georgia’s economy, create jobs, and give families and small businesses new opportunities.
I’m passionate about policies that keep families together. Too often, government systems divide parents and children instead of supporting them. My focus is on strengthening family unity — making sure parents aren’t punished for being disabled or struggling financially, ensuring kids have the stability they deserve, and creating a system that protects families instead of tearing them apart.
The most important characteristic of an elected official is being available and responsive to the people they serve. Too many politicians disappear once they’re elected, but I believe leadership means listening, answering, and staying connected with voters every step of the w
The first major historical event I remember was the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980. I was born in 1974, so I was 6 years old at the time. Another event that stands out in my memory is the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986. I was 11 years old and in detention when it happened — I remember watching it unfold in real tim
I trimmed Christas trees it was a summer job
My favorite book isn’t one that’s been published yet — it’s the one I’m writing, titled Digital Lies. So far, I’ve completed 13 chapters and continue adding to it. For me, this project is more than just a story; it’s proof that I’ve worked past one of my greatest struggles — putting my ideas on paper despite anxiety. Finding the right tools gave me the ability to organize my thoughts, stay disciplined, and turn an obstacle into something creative and meaningful. This book represents not only a story I want to share, but also the personal victory of overcoming a challenge that once held me back.
One of my biggest struggles has been putting my ideas on paper, largely because of anxiety. I’ve always had a clear vision of what I wanted to say, but translating that into writing was difficult. Over time, I learned to turn that struggle into strength — finding tools and ways to organize my thoughts so I could share them clearly. That experience taught me resilience and gave me a deeper understanding of how many people face unseen battles, which makes me more determined to listen, connect, and lead with empathy.
First and foremost, the most important responsibility is taking care of the people of Georgia — making sure families have security, opportunity, and a fair shot. Right alongside that is taking care of the businesses that employ our citizens, because strong communities are built on strong local economies. When we protect our people and support the businesses that keep them working, Georgia prospers. A governor’s role is to balance both — standing up for families, encouraging growth, and making sure government is a partner in success, not an obstacle.
The governor should be fully involved in the budgeting process to keep the balance fair for workers, businesses, and investors alike. Georgia needs a tax system that’s truly balanced — one that rewards businesses for taking care of their employees, their investors, and the communities they operate in. That kind of leadership ensures prosperity is shared and growth benefits everyone, not just the top.
This is a powerful tool to use, and I would treat it with the seriousness it deserves. If a budget item does not benefit all parties involved in a positive way — the people, the workers, the businesses, and the communities of Georgia — it would get vetoed. The line-item veto isn’t about playing politics; it’s about protecting taxpayers from waste, ensuring fairness, and making sure every dollar is spent where it truly makes a difference. Used wisely, it keeps the budget honest and accountable.
The ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature is built on mutual respect and a firm commitment to work together for Georgia. Even when there are disagreements, the focus should always return to finding common ground that serves the people. A governor should lead with strength but also with openness — guiding the conversation, listening to legislators, and keeping every debate centered on how to make life better for Georgia families and businesses. That balance of respect, firmness, and cooperation is what delivers real results.
What I love most about Georgia is that it’s home — the only place I’ve truly felt comfortable for half my life. Georgia has a spirit like no other: strong, welcoming communities, proud traditions, and people who don’t just talk about values, they live them. From the small towns to the big cities, there’s a sense of resilience and heart here that makes me proud to call it my home.
The greatest challenges Georgia faces over the next decade are in jobs and housing. Right now, because of regulations and loopholes, too many companies avoid offering full-time work — cutting people back to 32-hour weeks to dodge health insurance obligations, or relying heavily on temporary positions. That creates a cycle: temporary jobs lead to temporary housing, and families can’t build stability. My tax reform and finance laws are designed to break that cycle — rewarding businesses that provide stable, full-time jobs and helping working families secure long-term housing. When people have steady work and a permanent place to call home, Georgia thrives.
The governor should use emergency powers only when the circumstances demand immediate action and existing legislation does not fit the moment or serve Georgians well. Emergency powers are not meant to replace the normal process of lawmaking — they are meant to protect lives, maintain order, and respond quickly when the people of Georgia face urgent threats. Whether it’s a natural disaster, a public safety crisis, or an economic emergency, the guiding principle must always be: does this action safeguard Georgians and move the state forward? If not, it should not be used.
Georgia does not currently have a ballot initiative process — and I believe we need one. Ballot initiatives give the people a direct voice on the issues that matter most, instead of leaving every decision to politicians and lobbyists. For example, in 2020, a Republican sample ballot question asked voters about marijuana legalization, and nearly half said yes. That showed us what we already know: more Georgians support reform than oppose it. With a true ballot initiative process, the people could move issues like this forward themselves and ensure that government reflects the will of the voters, not the special interests.
To me, being Governor means holding the seat where I know the people of Georgia will truly get their voice. It’s not about power for myself — it’s about making sure every Georgian, from working families to small business owners, finally has leadership that listens, responds, and acts in their best interest. This office should be the people’s seat, and I intend to use it to give them the voice they’ve been denied for far too long.
It’s hard to choose just one story, because so many of the struggles I’ve heard from people across Georgia mirror my own. Parents fighting to keep their families together, small business owners stretched thin, workers trying to survive on unstable jobs — their voices have stayed with me. What touched me most is that after sharing their stories, so many of them looked me in the eye and said, “You need to run for Governor.” Hearing that over and over again from everyday Georgians and small businesses across the state wasn’t just encouragement — it was a call to action. Their trust and their hope are what drive me forward, because I know I’m not just carrying my story, I’m carrying theirs too.
An accomplishment I’m most proud of is staying strong when life tried to put me down. I’ve faced moments of deep depression and feelings of worthlessness, but I refused to let them define me. Instead, I chose to move forward — to turn pain into purpose. Out of those struggles came my advocacy, my nonprofit work, my music, and my campaign. Each step I’ve taken has been about proving that no matter how hard life hits, you can rise again, stronger and with more determination to make a difference for others who are struggling too.
AI is a tool — and when used properly, it can help government operate in real time with the people. I believe Georgia should use AI to increase transparency and accountability. Imagine a system where legislators can instantly see what voters in their districts want on key issues, and voters can just as easily see whether their representatives are voting in line with them. That kind of open, real-time connection between the people and their government is exactly how AI should be used — not to replace human judgment, but to strengthen democracy and trust.
1. Strengthen Voter Access and Trust

Georgia should ensure election laws prioritize ease and protection for every voter. That means resisting overly broad expansion of voter-challenge criteria—such as those in SB 189, which raised concerns about possibly disenfranchising vulnerable groups like the homeless or those with nontraditional addresses . We must defend against laws that discourage participation rather than encourage it.

2. Safeguard Against Administrative Overreach Georgia’s State Election Board recently approved hand-count rules allowing poll workers to count ballots manually—a controversial change criticized for potentially delaying results and exceeding the board’s authority . As governor, I’d support legislation that prevents administrative bodies from imposing election-altering procedures on short notice—ensuring changes to process follow proper legislative review and avoid undermining timely certification.

3. Enhance Transparency and Accountability We need stronger certification safeguards to protect election integrity. Courts have already blocked rules enabling county officials to delay or refuse certification under vague “reasonable inquiry” provisions  . I’d back legislative efforts clearly defining certification duties—removing ambiguity that could allow partisan interference or obstruction in concluding election results.

4. Promote Secure and Inclusive Voting Infrastructure

While Georgia has made strides—like expanding early voting and tightening voter identification—new challenges persist. For example, vulnerabilities in the voter cancellation portal have raised alarm among cybersecurity and civil rights groups . I’d champion laws mandating stronger protections against cyber threats in election systems, preserving both accessibility and security.


You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:

Voting information

See also: Voting in Georgia

Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.

Noteworthy events

Federal judge dismisses Chris Carr's campaign finance lawsuit against Burt Jones' campaign

On August 7, 2025, Chris Carr filed a lawsuit claiming Burt Jones' ability to raise unlimited campaign funds violated Carr's constitutional rights to free speech and equal protection. According to a 2021 campaign finance law, Georgia's governor, lieutenant governor, and select legislative leaders are allowed to raise unlimited funds via leadership committees. As the state's lieutenant governor, Jones can raise unlimited funds through his leadership committee, while Carr, as attorney general, cannot. Carr can, instead, raise up to $8,400 from each primary donor plus $4,800 for any primary runoff. These limits apply to all candidates running for governor of Georgia.[1][2][3]

On August 28, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Victoria Calvert dismissed the lawsuit. She agreed that the 2021 law injured Carr, but argued that he had brought the lawsuit against the wrong defendant. Calvert said the state of Georgia, and not Jones, was the violator.[1][2]

As of September 1, 2025, Carr's campaign said it was considering further legal options, which could include a new lawsuit against the state. Jones' campaign said Carr was a hypocrite because he defended the campaign finance law in 2022 as attorney general. Carr said the defense was necessary in his capacity as attorney general, even if he personally disagreed with the law.[1][2]

General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

  • Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
  • Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
  • Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[4]
  • Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[5][6][7]

Race ratings: Georgia gubernatorial election, 2026
Race trackerRace ratings
9/9/20259/2/20258/26/20258/19/2025
The Cook Political Report with Amy WalterToss-upToss-upToss-upToss-up
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesTilt RepublicanTilt RepublicanBattleground RepublicanBattleground Republican
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallLean RepublicanLean RepublicanLean RepublicanLean Republican
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Past elections

The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2014.

2022

See also: Georgia gubernatorial election, 2022

General election

General election for Governor of Georgia

Incumbent Brian Kemp defeated Stacey Abrams, Shane Hazel, David Byrne, and Milton Lofton in the general election for Governor of Georgia on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Brian Kemp
Brian Kemp (R)
 
53.4
 
2,111,572
Image of Stacey Abrams
Stacey Abrams (D)
 
45.9
 
1,813,673
Image of Shane Hazel
Shane Hazel (L)
 
0.7
 
28,163
Image of David Byrne
David Byrne (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
18
Milton Lofton (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
7

Total votes: 3,953,433
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Georgia

Stacey Abrams advanced from the Democratic primary for Governor of Georgia on May 24, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Stacey Abrams
Stacey Abrams
 
100.0
 
727,168

Total votes: 727,168
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Georgia

Incumbent Brian Kemp defeated David Perdue, Kandiss Taylor, Catherine Davis, and Tom Williams in the Republican primary for Governor of Georgia on May 24, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Brian Kemp
Brian Kemp
 
73.7
 
888,078
Image of David Perdue
David Perdue
 
21.8
 
262,389
Image of Kandiss Taylor
Kandiss Taylor
 
3.4
 
41,232
Image of Catherine Davis
Catherine Davis Candidate Connection
 
0.8
 
9,788
Tom Williams
 
0.3
 
3,255

Total votes: 1,204,742
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2018

See also: Georgia gubernatorial election, 2018

General election

General election for Governor of Georgia

Brian Kemp defeated Stacey Abrams and Ted Metz in the general election for Governor of Georgia on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Brian Kemp
Brian Kemp (R)
 
50.2
 
1,978,408
Image of Stacey Abrams
Stacey Abrams (D)
 
48.8
 
1,923,685
Image of Ted Metz
Ted Metz (L)
 
0.9
 
37,235

Total votes: 3,939,328
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary runoff election

Republican primary runoff for Governor of Georgia

Brian Kemp defeated Casey Cagle in the Republican primary runoff for Governor of Georgia on July 24, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Brian Kemp
Brian Kemp
 
69.5
 
406,703
Image of Casey Cagle
Casey Cagle
 
30.5
 
178,893

Total votes: 585,596
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Georgia

Stacey Abrams defeated Stacey Evans in the Democratic primary for Governor of Georgia on May 22, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Stacey Abrams
Stacey Abrams
 
76.4
 
424,305
Image of Stacey Evans
Stacey Evans
 
23.6
 
130,784

Total votes: 555,089
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Georgia

Casey Cagle and Brian Kemp advanced to a runoff. They defeated Hunter Hill, Clay Tippins, and Michael Williams in the Republican primary for Governor of Georgia on May 22, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Casey Cagle
Casey Cagle
 
39.0
 
236,987
Image of Brian Kemp
Brian Kemp
 
25.5
 
155,189
Image of Hunter Hill
Hunter Hill
 
18.3
 
111,464
Image of Clay Tippins
Clay Tippins
 
12.2
 
74,182
Image of Michael Williams
Michael Williams
 
4.9
 
29,619

Total votes: 607,441
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2014

See also: Georgia Gubernatorial election, 2014
Governor of Georgia, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngNathan Deal Incumbent 52.7% 1,345,237
     Democratic Jason Carter 44.9% 1,144,794
     Libertarian Andrew Hunt 2.4% 60,185
Total Votes 2,550,216
Election results via Georgia Secretary of State

Election analysis

This section will contain facts and figures related to this state's elections when those are available.

Gubernatorial elections in 2026

There are 36 gubernatorial seats on the ballot in 2026.

See also

Georgia State Executive Elections News and Analysis
Seal of Georgia.png
StateExecLogo.png
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Georgia State Executive Offices
Georgia State Legislature
Georgia Courts
2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Georgia elections: 2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Party control of state government
State government trifectas
State of the state addresses
Partisan composition of governors

External links

Footnotes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 ABC News, "Judge throws out campaign finance lawsuit between Republican rivals in Georgia governor's race," August 28, 2025
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Downballot, "Morning Digest: Maine will decide this fall whether to make it harder to vote," August 29, 2025
  3. Georgia State Ethics Commission, "Contribution Limits," accessed September 1, 2025
  4. Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  5. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  6. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  7. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018