ATLANTA — Georgia Congresswoman Lucy McBath recently put a pause on her campaign exploration for the governorship in 2026, adding an element of unpredictability to the Democratic contenders. McBath’s spokesman, Jake Orvis, indicated that while she hasn’t ruled out a gubernatorial run, her current priority is her husband Curtis’s health following complications from his recent cancer surgery.
McBath, a four-term congresswoman and prominent advocate for gun control, had initiated a fundraising campaign for the governor’s race this past March. Despite these ambitions, Orvis confirmed she will continue her role in Congress.
With Republican Gov. Brian Kemp stepping down after his second term due to term limits, the field is open. Attorney General Chris Carr has already entered the Republican race for governor, and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is anticipated to join. On the Democratic front, potential contenders include former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, state Sen. Jason Esteves, and former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. Stacey Abrams, who faced Kemp in the governor’s race in 2018 and 2022, has not yet ruled out making another attempt.
McBath made headlines in 2018 by defeating Republican Rep. Karen Handel to secure a congressional seat in Atlanta’s northern suburbs, an area once represented by Newt Gingrich. After congressional maps were redrawn post-2020 Census, McBath decided to run against Democrat Carolyn Bordeaux and emerged victorious. Following another redistricting order based on court findings that African American votes had been diluted, she transitioned to a district on Atlanta’s western side that was earlier reshaped by Republicans.
These strategic shifts have allowed her to represent a broader electorate, potentially strengthening her profile as a statewide candidate. If successful, her bid, like that of Stacey Abrams, would signify a historic achievement as a Black woman ascending to a governorship in the United States.
At 64, McBath’s influence in the political sphere grew after her teenage son Jordan Davis tragically lost his life in 2012 in a racially charged shooting. A former flight attendant, McBath’s political journey has benefitted from the support of influential backers, including philanthropist and ex-New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
She has championed gun control legislation, notably supporting a 2022 law that tightens background checks for younger gun purchasers, broadens restrictions for certain domestic violence offenders, and assists states in implementing red flag laws. These laws facilitate the confiscation of firearms from individuals deemed dangerous.
At the 2024 Democratic National Convention, McBath led a poignant segment featuring survivors and families affected by gun violence, spotlighting her continued commitment to the cause.