Overview

• Brian Kemp announced he will not run for the U.S. Senate in 2026, citing family considerations and long-term priorities.
• Kemp's decision removes the GOP's top recruit to challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, who is seen as a vulnerable incumbent in Georgia.
• Republicans now face a crowded and potentially contentious primary field, with figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Buddy Carter, and Mike Collins expressing interest.
• Kemp pledged to support the eventual Republican nominee and work to secure a GOP victory in what is considered a pivotal race for Senate control.
• Democrats have framed Kemp's decision as a significant recruitment failure for Republicans, potentially complicating their efforts to expand their slim Senate majority.