Republican-turned-Democrat Geoff Duncan is running for governor

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Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan leaves the Fulton County Courthouse, Aug. 14, 2023, in Atlanta. Duncan said Monday, March 18, 2024, that he would not run as a third-party candidate affiliated with No Labels, a political group that's considering launching an independent campaign for the White House.

Credit: AP Photo/Alex Slitz, File

Former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan is running for governor — but as a Democrat. 

He made the announcement in a video released Tuesday emphasizing his split from the Republican Party. 

“Republicans kicked me out of their party," he said. "I was leaving anyway. Now, I’m running for governor as a proud Democrat to focus on what matters most to Georgians”

In the ad, he referenced the costs of groceries, child care and rising unemployment as priority issues. Duncan was a fierce critic against President Donald Trump during the 2024 election, and switched his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat earlier this year.

He will face former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former state Sen. Jason Esteves, state Rep. Derrick Jackson, former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and pastor Olu Brown in the Democratic primary next year.

Duncan served a single term as lieutenant governor under Gov. Brian Kemp until 2022, when Duncan opted not to run for reelection. Kemp is term-limited, leading to the crowded field for his seat.