Gov. Kemp is officially out of the running for U.S. Senate

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Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.

Credit: State of Georgia

Gov. Brian Kemp announced Monday that he will not run for U.S. Senate in 2026, leaving the Republican primary to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff wide open.

Kemp said in a statement posted to the social media website X that running for Senate is "not the right decision" for him and his family. 

Kemp also said he spoke with President Donald Trump and U.S. Senate leadership ahead of announcing his decision. 

"I am confident we will be united in that important effort, and I look forward to electing the next generation of leaders up and down the ballot here in the Peach State who will keep our state and nation headed in the right direction in 2026 and beyond," he said. 

Several prominent Republicans including U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and Insurance Commissioner John King are rumored to be considering a run for the seat, but none have announced a run yet. 

Ossoff narrowly won his race against incumbent Sen. David Perdue in a runoff in 2020.

Georgia’s constitution limits governors to two terms in office, so Kemp is not able to run for reelection again.