Georgia’s Republican Attorney General, Chris Carr, declared on Thursday his intention to run for governor in the 2026 elections, making him the first significant candidate from either party to officially announce a campaign.
The race for the governorship is already attracting considerable attention, as the seat will become available after the incumbent Republican Governor Brian Kemp, who is term-limited, steps down. Other potential Republican candidates are also expected, including Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
Carr is positioning himself as the candidate to ensure a continuation of stable Republican governance, drawing inspiration from notable figures such as the late U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, former Governor Nathan Deal, and the current Governor Kemp.
“I’ve witnessed what it requires to be successful,” Carr stated in a phone conversation. “I want to campaign as the proven conservative who will generate jobs for diligent Georgians, guarantee safety for our families and neighborhoods, and robustly protect our Constitution and the freedoms we cherish.”
Carr has maintained a close alignment with Governor Kemp but may contend with opposition from President-elect Donald Trump and his backers during the primary. Jones, having had ties to Trump, could seek his endorsement, while Carr and Raffensperger previously faced Trump’s disfavor for not supporting efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia.
Carr took the initial step in formalizing his campaign by filing paperwork with the Georgia Ethics Commission, launching a committee to raise funds for his gubernatorial aspirations. By declaring his candidacy now, Carr aims to secure financial backing, especially since fundraising will be on hold during the three-month legislative session starting on January 13.
The role of Attorney General in Georgia typically involves defending civil lawsuits against the state, with limited direct intervention in prosecutions unless requested by local authorities. However, Republican legislators have expanded Carr’s powers to prosecute crimes directly.
In 2019, he was granted the authority to establish a human trafficking prosecution unit, which has since secured 50 convictions, engaged in 325 investigations, and provided assistance to over 200 victims. Additionally, in 2022, lawmakers mandated the creation of a statewide gang prosecution unit, which boasts offices across various Georgia cities and has led to over 40 indictments and convictions of more than 140 individuals.
“For businesses to thrive, safety is paramount,” Carr explained, highlighting the successful expansion of his prosecutorial duties.
Carr’s entrance into politics was shaped by his law career and role as vice president of the conservative Georgia Public Policy Foundation before he transitioned to a staff member for U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson in 2004, later becoming his chief of staff in 2007.
In 2013, Governor Nathan Deal appointed Carr as Commissioner of Economic Development following the departure of a former colleague. Carr played a crucial role in facilitating investments exceeding $14 billion, resulting in over 83,000 jobs, as Georgia sought recovery from the Great Recession.
Eventually, Deal appointed Carr as Attorney General in 2016 after Sam Olens resigned. Despite having limited trial experience, Carr handled the Republican primary in 2018 without opposition and won the general election against Democrat Charlie Bailey.
In the subsequent election cycle of 2022, Carr overcame a right-wing primary challenger endorsed by Trump and defeated Democrat Jen Jordan in a very close election.
The position of Attorney General does not have term limits, opening the possibility for Carr to seek reelection in 2026 if he so chooses.
The GOP has maintained a stronghold in Georgia, winning six consecutive gubernatorial elections since Sonny Perdue’s historic win in 2002. Democrats aimed to challenge this streak with Stacey Abrams in 2022, yet Kemp secured victory by a notable margin in their rematch after their initial close contest in 2018.