Who is running for Georgia governor and other statewide offices in the 2026 election
Candidates have qualified for governor, lieutenant governor and several other statewide races ahead of Georgia’s May 19 primary.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— Candidates have qualified for several statewide offices in Georgia ahead of the May 19 primary election, including races for governor, lieutenant governor, and multiple executive branch positions.
Voters will choose party nominees during the primary. Those winners will advance to the general election on November 3.
Governor
Multiple candidates from both parties have qualified for the race for governor.
Democrats
Seven Democrats have qualified:
Amanda Duffy
Derrick Jackson
Geoff Duncan
Jason Esteves
Keisha Lance Bottoms
Mike Thurmond
Olu Brown
Republicans
Eight Republicans have qualified:
Brad Raffensperger
Burt Jones
Chris Carr
Clark Dean
Gregg Kirkpatrick
Ken Yasger
Rick Jackson
Thomas E. Williams
Lieutenant Governor
The race for lieutenant governor is open because incumbent Burt Jones is running for governor.
Democrats
Josh McLaurin
Nabilah Parkes
Richard N. Wright
Republicans
Brenda Lynn Nelson-Porter
David Clark
Greg Dolezal
John F. Kennedy
Michael Tillery
Steve Gooch
Takosha Swan
Agriculture Commissioner
In the race for Georgia agriculture commissioner, incumbent Republican Tyler Harper has qualified for reelection.
Two Democrats have qualified for the primary:
Katherine E. Juhan-Arnold
Sedrick Kent Rowe Jr.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face Harper in the general election.
Attorney General
The race for attorney general is open because current Attorney General Chris Carr is running for governor.
Democrats
Bob Trammell
Herbert Adams Jr.
Tanya Miller
Republicans
Brian Strickland
Bill Cowsert
Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner
Incumbent Republican John King has qualified to run for reelection as Georgia’s insurance and fire safety commissioner.
Five Democrats have qualified for the primary:
Ambuj “AJ” Jain
Clarence Blalock
DeAndre Mathis
Keisha Sean Waites
Thomas Gabriel Dean
Labor Commissioner
In the race for Georgia commissioner of labor, incumbent Republican Bárbara Rivera Holmes has qualified for reelection.
Five Democrats have qualified for the primary:
Brett A. Hulme
Christian D. Smith
Jason Matthew Moon
Michelle Michi Sanchez
Nikki Porcher
Candidate Clarence Blalock initially qualified but later withdrew from the race.
Secretary of State
The race for Georgia secretary of state is open because current office holder Brad Raffensperger is running for governor.
Republicans who have qualified include:
Ted Metz
Kelvin King
Gabriel Sterling
Tim Fleming
Vernon Jones
Democrats who have qualified include:
Adrian Consonery Jr.
Cam Thi Ashling
Dana Barrett
Penny Brown Reynolds
State School Superintendent
The race for Georgia state school superintendent also features multiple candidates.
Democrats
Anton Anthony
Lydia Catalina Powell
Otha Thornton
Republicans
Fred Jackson Longgrear
Mesha Mainor
Nelva Melissa Lee
Randell Eugene Trammell
Richard Woods
Georgia voters will decide party nominees for these races during the May 19 primary election. The winners will advance to the general election on November 3.
