Duncan Declares Democratic Candidacy Against Trump
Jeff Duncan, a former Republican lieutenant colonel, has announced he will run against President Donald Trump, should Trump transition to the Democratic party and secure the governorship in an important southeastern state next year.
On Tuesday, Duncan criticized Trump while officially entering an increasingly populated Democratic primary race. “I will stand up to Trump and his envious supporters in our state, reduce costs for childcare, healthcare, and housing, ensuring every family in Georgia is in the strongest position possible,” he stated upon launching his campaign.
Duncan, who has a background as a healthcare executive and played minor league baseball, served as lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022 and chose not to seek reelection in the latter year.
Duncan Justifies His Party Switch
Following his resignation, Duncan became a vocal critic of Trump, particularly regarding the former president’s attempts to overturn the election results in Georgia. He believes the Republican Party has been damaged, though he asserts it’s not entirely broken.
In support of Joe Biden during the 2024 presidential election, Duncan later assumed a key role on the Democrats’ ticket, sharing the stage with Vice President Kamala Harris during a notable speech at the Democratic National Conference in Chicago last summer.
Recently expelled from the Republican Party, Duncan emphasized his conflict with Trump in his campaign’s promotional video, remarking, “Trump never betrayed me. It was the Georgia Republicans who distanced themselves from me.” He declared his intent to run for governor as a proud Democrat focused on the priorities of Georgians.
Duncan’s new candidacy will see him competing with prominent Democrats, including former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond, and former state Senator Jason Estevez. Meanwhile, the Republican primary features Lt. Col. Burt Jones, who has gained Trump’s backing, vying against state attorney general Chris Kerr.
A Response to Trump’s Criticism
Next year’s general election winner will be tasked with succeeding the highly popular GOP Governor Brian Kemp. After Duncan’s party shift, Trump publicly derided him on social media, labeling him a “complete loser” and claiming Duncan couldn’t achieve anything, merely complaining instead.
In response to his detractor’s comments, Duncan told Fox News in a digital interview, “I think Republicans are making my point by showing they no longer wish to care for their neighbors. There’s nothing truthful about those tweets.” He added that he hopes Trump learns to better manage the country in the upcoming years, expressing pride in his departure from the Republican party.
