Former Georgia Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Duncan Switches to Democratic Party

Jeff Duncan, the former Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, has hinted at the possibility of pursuing a higher office as a Democrat after recently leaving the Republican Party. According to WSB-TV, Duncan, who served from 2019 to 2023, is contemplating his political future following this significant party switch.

In a recent interview, he expressed, “I think Georgians want people who can tell the truth to the power in the middle,” although he didn’t clarify which specific office he might seek. Speculation suggests he could be eyeing a run for governor, particularly to challenge Republican Governor Brian Kemp.

Prominent names already in the race for the 2026 gubernatorial election include former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who later served in the Biden administration, and on the Republican side, current Lieutenant Governor Chris Kerr and Attorney General Chris Carr.

In a column for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Duncan detailed that his shift toward the Democratic Party had been long in the making, predating Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. He wrote, “My journey to becoming a Democrat has begun quite a bit before Donald Trump tried to steal the 2020 election in Georgia.” He indicated that there wasn’t a specific moment that catalyzed this change but rather a gradual evolution in his political beliefs.

Trump has criticized Duncan’s decision, labeling him a “complete loser” who is no longer a viable Republican. In a statement, Trump remarked, “He became a Democrat because we no longer wanted him.” This clearly highlights the tension between Duncan and the former president.

Duncan has voiced concerns regarding Republican policies on healthcare, Medicaid, immigration, and gun safety, which he feels influenced his party change. He believes that his experiences in office underscored the importance of compassion in governance. Interestingly, before his time as Lieutenant Governor, he was involved in Georgia politics from 2013 to 2017 but chose not to seek re-election in 2022.

His departure from the GOP follows his expulsion from the party earlier this year amid accusations of disloyalty. The resolution noted his criticisms of Republicans and his past support for former Vice President Kamala Harris, particularly during the Democratic National Convention.

Duncan has been an outspoken critic of Trump and the direction the Republican Party has taken, especially post-2020 election. He reflected, “There’s no sand or one line of moments. It was a series of parallel processes,” indicating a complex and ongoing journey towards his new political alignment.

Moreover, he recently criticized Republican spending bills, which he believes harm Medicaid and nutrition assistance programs vital for children. He pointed out that public support is growing for measures like Universal Background Checks for gun purchases.

Duncan concluded that his decision to embrace the Democratic Party stems from a desire to better serve his community, stating that the reasons for his alignment with the Democrats “continue to grow.” Ultimately, he sees this shift as a way to engage more effectively with and support his neighbors.