Lucy McBath, a United States Representative from Georgia, has initiated steps towards a possible gubernatorial campaign for 2026, marking her the first Democratic figure to pursue this route. Her approach currently involves establishing an exploratory committee, which could evolve into a full campaign. Known for her advocacy in gun control, McBath has served four terms in Congress.
Republican Governor Brian Kemp is approaching the end of his second term and is ineligible to run again. The Republican field is already taking shape with Attorney General Chris Carr declaring his candidacy for the governorship in 2026, and it is anticipated that Lt. Gov. Burt Jones will also enter the race. Within the Democratic camp, possible contenders include former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, state Senator Jason Esteves, and former DeKalb County Chief Executive Michael Thurmond. Meanwhile, Stacey Abrams, a former candidate who contested against Kemp in the 2018 and 2022 elections, has not definitively ruled out another run.
McBath, who entered Congress in 2018, initially gained her seat by defeating Karen Handel, a Republican, reclaiming a district in Atlanta’s northern suburbs once held by Newt Gingrich. Following the 2020 Census and subsequent redistricting efforts by Republicans, McBath found herself competing against another Democrat, Carolyn Bordeaux, in a primary, which she won convincingly. After an additional court-mandated redistricting due to voter dilution concerns, she moved to represent a district on the western side of Atlanta.
These strategic maneuvers have likely broadened McBath’s voter base, positioning her as a formidable candidate for statewide office. Like Stacey Abrams, McBath aspires to be the first Black female governor in an American state, a significant milestone yet to be achieved. Her status as a Black woman plays favorably within Georgia’s Democratic primaries, where Black women are a crucial constituency. In addition to her appeal to Democrats, McBath seeks bipartisan support, particularly from suburban swing voters. Earlier this year, she was among four Georgia Democrats to support the Laken Riley Act, a bill facilitating the deportation of undocumented immigrants accused of crimes. This legislation was the first signed by President Donald Trump in his second term.
In a statement issued on Thursday, McBath emphasized the need for a governor who has experienced the issues at hand. As a mother and breast cancer survivor, she conveys a deep understanding of the political exclusion faced by ordinary individuals and expresses eagerness to engage further with Georgians. At 64, her journey into politics was propelled by personal tragedy; her 17-year-old son, Jordan Davis, was fatally shot in 2012, an event that galvanized her gun control advocacy. Her political endeavors have received substantial backing from billionaire and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
McBath is recognized for endorsing a 2022 law strengthening background checks for young gun purchasers, restricting gun access from domestic violence offenders, and facilitating state implementation of red flag laws. These regulations empower authorities to confiscate firearms from individuals deemed dangerous. Her leadership within the gun control movement was highlighted when she led a delegation of survivors and relatives of gun violence victims during a key segment of the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
