If you thought you could take a rest from politics now that the 2024 General Election is settled, think again. Hats are already landing in the ring. Chris Bridges, editor of the Walton Tribune, gives below a summary on where we stand as 2024 wraps up.
With the dust now settled on the 2024 election, political eyes in Walton County and Georgia are looking to two years down the road.
The 2026 election in Georgia will see all statewide offices on the ballot including an open seat for governor as Brian Kemp is not able to seek another term. The race will all but likely draw heavy interest from several high level, would-be candidates. Already state Attorney General Chris Carr has entered the Republican race. He will be only the first.
“We will see a ton of movement in the coming weeks,” said Walton County GOP Chairman Marc McMain. “With Chris’s announcement to run for governor, that will start the dominoes. Before spring, we will likely see five or more candidates vying for the Republican nomination. This will leave several openings in the states’ constitutional offices ranging from lieutenant governor to maybe some of the commissioners.”
Those seeking the governorship who already hold another office cannot seek reelection in their current position. With rumors of Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Secretary of State of Brad Raffensperger, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and other statewide office holders jumping into the governor’s race, that could mean open seats for various down ballot races
“There will be a frenzy to fill those voids with many in the Georgia House and Senate lining up, leaving more vacancies,” McMain said.
“Then, opportunities abound for those looking to get involved in the political process. There will be many new faces in the general assembly after a busy 2026 election.”
The local GOP Chairman said he did not want to comment publicly on who may enter the governor’s race but said he has heard there are several who are set to enter. Others who have expressed some level of interest in the GOP primary for governor include Congressmen Austin Scott, Buddy Carter and Drew Ferguson. Former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler had been mentioned but she was recently tied to the national Secretary of Agriculture position by President-elect Donald Trump.
Democrats looking at the 2026 race include Jason Carter who was the nominee in 2014. He is the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter. Other Democrats include Congresswoman Lucy McBath, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and former State Senator Jen Jordan. A third run by Stacey Abrams, a former House Minority Leader, cannot be ruled out although it is doubtful she will be given a free pass to the Democratic nomination after two failed runs for governor. Abrams lost to Kemp in 2018 and again in 2022
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