Raffensperger Announces Gubernatorial Run in Georgia
Georgia’s Republican Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, declared his candidacy for the governor’s position on Wednesday, positioning himself against candidates favored by Donald Trump in a highly competitive primary.
Raffensperger gained notoriety after the 2020 election for refusing to contest the results in Georgia, which angered Trump. Now, Republican Burt Jones, with Trump’s backing, is also vying for the nomination to succeed incumbent Governor Brian Kemp, who has faced restrictions within the party.
“I am a conservative Republican and I’m prepared to make challenging decisions,” Raffensperger stated in his campaign launch video. “I adhere to the law and the Constitution. I consistently do what’s right for Georgia.”
Despite his firm stance, Raffensperger seems to face considerable hurdles in securing the nomination, chiefly due to the strong resistance from party members against those who have crossed Trump. A resolution passed by Georgia GOP delegates labeled him as “opposed to its brand,” making it difficult for him to function within the party in any elected capacity.
Interestingly, despite Trump’s opposition, Raffensperger was re-elected in 2022 as Secretary of State, defeating his main rival, former Rep. Jody Hice, by 19 percentage points in the Republican primary, even though he ultimately lost to Democrat Bee Nguyen in the general election by just nine points.
Trump endorsed Burt Jones in August, featuring him as a “warrior” in posts on social media, promoting his experiences and insights into business.
In addition to Raffensperger and Jones, Georgia Attorney General Chris Kerr is also running for the governor’s seat. The Democratic side sees several candidates stepping up, including former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and former Republican lieutenant governor Jeff Duncan.
The Culinary Political Report has deemed the 2026 gubernatorial race as highly competitive, and it might become one of the most challenging contests in the upcoming midterms. Democrats express concern that the fierce Republican primary could harm their chances in the general election.
“Brad Raffensperger’s campaign launch is troubling for Burt Jones and Chris Kerr, injecting an additional layer of disruption into an already contentious primary,” remarked Kevin Donohoe, a spokesperson for the Democratic Governors Association.
