Incumbent Republican Brad Raffensperger announced his bid for Georgia's gubernatorial race, following his refusal to cater to former President Trump's demands about the 2020 election results.
Georgia's Republican Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, has declared his candidacy for the governor's race in 2026. This announcement has intensified the primary in Georgia, as Raffensperger faces competition from Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Attorney General Chris Carr, among others.
Raffensperger's political career was significantly impacted by his decision to uphold the 2020 election results, making him a huge political target. He faced death threats, home surveillance, and was escorted out of the Georgia Capitol during the election period. Despite this, he managed to win reelection in 2022, defying Donald Trump's wrath.
Raffensperger has pledged a "bold conservative agenda" if elected as governor. This includes eliminating the state income tax, capping property taxes for seniors, banning drugs that block puberty from gender-affirming care, and purging "woke curriculums" from schools. He has also emphasized his financial capability, having sold his concrete reinforcement company, Tendon Systems, for an undisclosed amount in 2023, which he can use to fund his campaign.
Raffensperger's reelection victory occurred over a Democrat despite facing significant political opposition and attacks from Trump and his partisans. Voters, including some who previously voted in Democratic primaries, cast ballots in the GOP contest to renominate Raffensperger. He maintained a campaign of quiet speeches before civic club members during his reelection campaign.
In 2021, the Georgia Republican Party voted to ban Raffensperger from running under its banner, but the party chairman said that attempt might not go anywhere. This decision came after Raffensperger refused to alter Georgia's vote count in response to pressure from Donald Trump during a January 2, 2021 phone call, citing lack of evidence for widespread voter fraud.
On the Democratic side, top candidates include former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, state Sen. Jason Esteves, and former state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. Georgia's political landscape is gearing up for an exciting 2026 governor's race.
Meanwhile, Geoff Duncan, who spurned Trump's push to overturn the 2020 election, entered the governor's race as a Democrat, adding another layer of intrigue to the race. The court's ruling on a Trump-aligned body created to assert control of election processes has also added a significant twist to the political landscape in Georgia. Lawmakers have outlawed a repeat of Raffensperger's decision to mail absentee ballot applications to voters and restricted the use of absentee ballot drop boxes.
As the race heats up, it remains to be seen who will emerge as the next governor of Georgia in 2026. Raffensperger's conservative stance, financial resources, and resilience in the face of adversity make him a formidable contender. However, the competition is fierce, and the race promises to be a closely-watched event.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
