Two-term Republican Brian Kemp, who was the top Senate recruit in Georgia in the GOP Senate in next year's midterm elections, announced he would launch his campaign on Monday.
“Over the past few weeks I have had many conversations with friends, supporters and leaders around the country who encouraged me to run for the US Senate in 2026. I am very grateful for their support and prayers to our families. After these discussions, I have decided that voting is not the right decision for me,” Kemp said.
The popular conservative governor, limited in 2026 and prevented him from seeking re-election, was the GOP's dream candidate to take on Democrat Sen. John Ossoff, considered vulnerable, as Republicans aim to expand their 53-47 Senate majority next year.
First on FOX: Republicans launch second straight bids to flip over Democrat-owned Senate seats on Key Battlegrounds
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp presents an interview with Fox News Digital after being elected chairman of the Republican Governors Association on Marco Island, Florida on November 20, 2024. (Fox News – Paulsteinhauser)
Ossoff, who runs his second and six-year term in the Senate after turning his seat over with a thin razor victory in the January 2021 leak election, is the highest target for the state's National Republican Senators Committee (NRSC), which was carried narrowly last November.
Fox News Only: Senate Republican Campaign Chair reveals how many seats he is aiming for in 2026
“Republicans have many strong candidates who can build a victory coalition to add this seat to President Trump's Senate majority,” NRSC Communications Director Joanna Rodriguez told Fox News in a statement.
“I've spoken with President Trump and Senate leaders early today and expressed my commitment to working with them to ensure a strong Republican candidate who can win next November,” Kemp said in a social media post.
Currently, President Donald Trump is shaking hands with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp on Friday, October 4, 2024, after visiting Hurricane Helen-affected areas in Evans, Georgia, where he spoke at a temporary relief shelter (AP Photo/Evan Vukki) (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The governor had been tried for months to run for the Senate, but told Fox News Digital in a February interview that he said, “I know I can't last forever, so we're willing to say that.”
Why did Pete Battigegg say no to running for the Senate in Michigan?
Kemp, now chairman of the Republican Governors' Association, stressed, “We need to turn that seat over. There should be Republicans in that seat and I think we should do that after the 26th election.”
Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene saw the main side of the House Observation Subcommittee hearing at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on February 26, 2025, but is seriously considering a 2026 run for the Senate or governor. (Anna Money Maker/Getty Images)
But with Kemp out of the picture, GOP is facing the prospect of a crowded, potentially divisive primary that includes Senator Marjorie Taylor Greene, a home's top supporter who enjoys recognition of names but is toxic to the dedicated voters needed to win the general election.
Click here to get the Fox News app
Among other Republicans who expressed interest in running if Kemp resigned are Buddy Carter, Mike Collins, Rich McCormick, and state insurance secretary John King.
The Democratic Senate Election Committee highlighted Kemp's announcement.
“Brian Kemp’s decision not to run for the Senate in 2026 is a failure to recruit Republican Senate as all GOP candidates face medium-term Republican backlash as they are forced to answer Trump’s harmful agenda.
