Democrat Josh McLaurin declares intent to compete for Georgia's lieutenant governorship in the year 2026.
Imaginative Rewrite:
Hey there! Buckle up as we delve into the Georgia political scene for 2026! Here's the scoop.
Democratic Senator Josh McLaurin from Sandy Springs declared his run for the post of lieutenant governor in 2026, slamming Trump's controversial policies as a key campaign focus. A few weeks ahead, Republican Lieutenant Governor, Burt Jones, may announce his bid for Governor – quite the suspense!
McLaurin plans to hold a press conference in Savannah, highlighting the peril he sees to Georgia's major port due to Trump's tariff policies. In a statement, he said, "It's high time Georgia confronts Trump's authoritarian agenda head-on." He vowed to encounter this challenge and further advocated for long-overdue policies, including Medicaid expansion, abortion rights, gun safety measures, and more – efforts long stifled by Republicans.
Interestingly, McLaurin and Vice President JD Vance were roommates at Yale Law School, a fact sure to stir some intrigue.
Established in 2018, McLaurin's political career has been marked by his outspokenness against Republican policies he deems ill-advised. During the 2025 session, he regularly criticized the Trump administration in his "Trump Morning News."
Despite the Republican-dominated Senate, McLaurin believes the lieutenant governor’s role, though influential, can serve as a platform to challenge right-wing politics and bring much-needed attention to them.
On the Republican side, we have Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Blake Tillery of Vidalia who has already tossed his hat in the ring for the lieutenant governorship. Expect Senate President Pro Tem John Kennedy of Macon and Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch of Dahlonega to join the GOP field soon. Other potential candidates include state Sen. Greg Dolezal of Cumming.
As for the ongoing gubernatorial race in 2026 – since Brian Kemp is term-limited – popular names on the Republican side include Chris Carr, Georgia's Attorney General, and Burt Jones, our current lieutenant governor. More names like Brad Raffensperger may join the list, but as of April 2025, only Chris Carr has officially declared his candidacy. On the Democratic side, State Senator Jason Esteves and Keisha Bottoms are exploring their options in the race.
Now, stay tuned for more updates and don't forget to drop by our website to keep up with the latest election happenings!
- In 2026, the Georgia political landscape finds Democratic Senator Josh McLaurin, from Sandy Springs, running for lieutenant governor, focusing on Trump's contentious policies as a cornerstone of his campaign.
- Republican Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones is rumored to announce his bid for governor, adding to the political intrigue.
- During a press conference in Savannah, McLaurin plans to emphasize the potential harm to Georgia's major port due to Trump's tariff policies.
- McLaurin has vowed to tackle this challenge and support various long-stalled policies, such as Medicaid expansion, abortion rights, gun safety measures, and more.
- Interestingly, McLaurin and Vice President JD Vance shared a history as roommates at Yale Law School, adding a layer of interest to the Georgia political scenario.
- While the Senate is Republican-dominated, McLaurin perceives the lieutenant governor's role as a chance to counter right-wing politics, shedding light on critical issues in policy-and-legislation and general-news.
