Raffensperger Running For Governor.

I recently had the opportunity to see Secretary Raffensperger at an event in Duluth. We joked about how it would be funny if the 2026 General Election featured Democrat Geoff Duncan squaring off against Republican Brad Raffensperger for the right to be Georgia’s next Governor. We never considered that possibility when we were all three State Representatives, sitting around the table having lunch with other colleagues in the Sloppy Floyd cafeteria.

Yesterday, Geoff Duncan jumped into the race for Governor on the Democratic side, and today, Brad Raffensperger jumped into the race for Governor on the Republican side. The chance of a Raffensperger vs Duncan General Election is now possible.

ATLANTA — Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced on Wednesday he will run to become the next governor of Georgia. Raffensperger spoke exclusively with Channel 2’s Mark Winne about his decision and what he believes he can bring to the table.

“I’m a business creator. I’ve worked in over 40 different states, so I understand what it takes to build an organization. And also, I think that great paying jobs is really important for Georgia. And as a job creator and business builder, that’s what we need to be focused on, is creating great paying jobs for all of Georgia,” Raffensperger said.

Raffensperger joins the Republican primary field that includes current Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr.

On the Democratic side, former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, state Rep. Derrick Jackson, state Sen. Jason Esteves, former pastor Olujimi Brown and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms are running.

The GOP primaries for Governor and Secretary of State are going to be fascinating. Folks who want to re-litigate the 2020 election have their sights set on taking down Raffensperger and Sterling. We know they are a loud bunch, but will they dominate the discussion in those two races? They certainly have a mouthpiece in the SOS race in the person of Kelvin King, but how will Trump-endorsed Lt. Governor Jones respond? Will he give voice to their concerns?

And what tactics will Attorney General Carr deploy? Will he triangulate as Jones and Raffensperger spar?

Grab your popcorn folks, because 2026 is upon us, and the battlelines have been drawn.