by (Recorder of Georgia) Blake Tillery, a Republican state senator from Vidalia, has entered the 2026 Georgia lieutenant governor contest.
Due to Lt. Gov. Burt Jones’s gubernatorial campaign, the state’s second-highest executive seat will be available next year.
Tillery began his campaign Monday with a fly-around that included stops in Savannah, Augusta, Columbus, and Perry. He was first elected to his seat in south Georgia in 2016.
Tillery stated that he will give conservative ideals top priority during a visit to the state capitol in Atlanta.
“I think we should keep concentrating on things that are important to Georgians, and I want my children to grow up in Georgia the way I was, believing in God and putting Georgia values first—the same Georgia values and faith in God that my parents taught me,” he stated.
Tillery wrote a number of red-meat conservative bills during this year’s session, such as laws that penalize so-called sanctuary cities, prohibit transgender state employees from accessing gender-affirming care through the state health plan, and prohibit banks from punishing conservatives for their beliefs. These bills are still up for debate when lawmakers meet again in January, but none of them became law.
If elected lieutenant governor, Tillery, who leads the influential Senate Appropriations Committee, which helps determine the state budget, also promised to do away with the state income tax.
The primary responsibility of the lieutenant governor is to lead the state Senate, and three additional state senators have declared their intention to run for the position as well.
Josh McLaurin, a Democrat from Sandy Springs, is the only candidate his party has announced thus far.
According to McLaurin’s text, Blake is a generally quiet man who would struggle to bank far enough right to outscore his main rivals. You can count on him to try, though.
Tillery must win the GOP primary in May if he wants to challenge the Democratic nominee in November of next year. Additionally, Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch of Dahlonega and Senate President Pro Tem John Kennedy of Macon are two additional influential Republican senators who are also interested in the position of lieutenant governor of Georgia.
Following Tillery’s declaration, Kennedy described himself as the results-driven candidate in a statement.
I was brought up with small-town values as a native Adrian, Georgian, and I recognize the benefits of conservative leadership that prioritizes outcomes above rhetoric. Kennedy stated, “I’ve been fighting for Georgia families and achieving tangible results under the Gold Dome for the past ten years.”
In an interview with reporters following his visit to Atlanta, Tillery described himself as a leader but added that he, Kennedy, and Gooch are generally in agreement on policy.
I had that with me when we went to confirm that the state was not covering transsexual surgery. I was carrying that when we went to make sure that the budget wasn’t supporting woke views. So thank you for your support. According to Tillery, they have also carried items that I have backed.
David Clark, a Republican congressman from Buford, has also submitted applications to seek for the position.
