Atlanta On Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones began his much awaited campaign for Georgia governor, laying the groundwork for a possibly intense 2026 Republican primary contest that reflects deeper party divisions.
A fervent supporter of President Donald Trump, Jones launched his candidacy with a video highlighting his conservative background and commitment to Trump’s America First policy. Jones, a former state legislator, served as one of Trump’s first Georgia campaign co-chairs in 2015. He pledged during the campaign to cut taxes, crack down on illegal immigration, and oppose Democratic agendas.
What should I name everything we’ve done together? In his launch video, Jones states that it’s only a beginning. because we still have work to do. I’m running for governor because of this.
He has a huge financial edge because his statement was made at the same time that it was revealed that his leadership committee has $14 million in available funds, a huge war chest. Although it’s unknown how much of that total came from personal loans, Jones’s family is well-off and has a history in the gasoline industry, which suggests he could finance a significant amount of his campaign on his own.
GOP field
Jones has joined Attorney General Chris Carr, who declared his intention to run in 2026, as the second prominent Republican to do so. Carr disclosed on Monday that, between February 1 and June 30, he raised an additional $1.25 million, bringing his total fundraising to more than $3.5 million. In order to gain financial momentum and protect himself from well-funded competitors, he started his campaign early.
Carr presents himself as a stable, established conservative, in contrast to Jones, and has sided closely with departing Governor Brian Kemp. In a GOP race where Trump supporters continue to hold significant sway, that alliance might turn out to be a problem. Because Carr refused to join efforts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results, Trump sponsored a primary opponent against Carr in 2022. If Trump backs Jones, this might backfire on Carr.
It is anticipated that there will be more candidates in the 2026 contest to replace term-limited Governor Kemp. In addition to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, another possible candidate with statewide name recognition, U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has informed media that she is seriously considering a candidacy.
Democratic gubernatorial candidates
State Senator Jason Esteves and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms have become early Democratic fundraisers, each raising roughly $1.1 million. Bottoms gave her campaign a $200,000 loan, but Esteves was largely dependent on donations.
With over a year to go before the primary, the gubernatorial race is already forming into one of Georgia’s most important political contests. It will put the strength of establishment Republicans, the influence of Trump, and the willingness of Democrats to retake the governor’s mansion for the first time since 1998 to the test.
