Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, announced on Friday evening that she will not run against incumbent Democratic Senator John Ossoff in the upcoming 2026 election.
In a post on social media platform X, Greene, a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump, shared her reasons for backing out after previously showing interest in entering the Senate race. She mentioned that party insiders were looking to “carefully choose” a more establishment-friendly GOP candidate, which she believes undermines Trump’s agenda. She referred to these party members as “elite,” suggesting they see Trump as more of an obstacle than a leader.
Greene remarked, “It seems they’re trying to pick someone who can dress up in Magazine enough to deceive grassroots supporters into thinking they belong to us. They’re the Republicans who see Trump as a speed bump, believing they can maneuver around him now that he can’t run again.”
Continuing her thoughts, Greene stated, “Even if there are a few decent Republicans in the Senate, it won’t really matter. So, no, Ossoff isn’t the real issue; he’s just a vote. A pawn, much like those Uniparty Republicans who attend fundraisers but skip crucial votes that hinder our agenda. Someone once said, ‘The Senate is where good ideas die.’ They were right. That’s why I’m not running. I won’t fight for a team that refuses to win and protects the weakest players.”
Greene had previously been supportive of Governor Brian Kemp’s candidacy for the Senate, but following his announcement on May 5 that he would not run for the seat, she shifted her focus. Given her public recognition, Greene had expected to outperform Republican opponents in the primary.
She expressed on Tuesday, “The vote can be won either in the gubernatorial primary or the Senate primary. It’s a decision I’ve been contemplating.”
Her decision not to run could be a relief for some Republican strategists concerned about their chances against Ossoff, who is often cited as a vulnerable candidate for reelection in 2026. Polling data previously suggested Greene led by 17 points in a hypothetical matchup, according to a May survey from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The Ossoff campaign had been actively warning supporters about Greene potentially entering the race, framing her candidacy as a serious threat. “With MTG taking a step closer to the Senate, the interests are not clear,” a campaign email stated, promoting a fundraising effort aimed at countering her influence.
Now that Greene has stepped back, there are reportedly up to 12 Republican candidates considering their own bids. Recently, Republican Rep. Buddy Carter announced his candidacy, positioning himself as a “Maga Warrior.” Additionally, Republican Rep. Mike Collins is seen as an early favorite who could attract support from both traditional GOP voters and independents.
As Greene concluded her statement, she noted, “We’re beginning to raise funds from these other typical Republicans, though we expect your contributions to be lacking. Good luck to them.”
