ATLANTA — U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene announced on Friday that she will not be running against Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff from Georgia in the upcoming midterms. This decision may come as a relief to certain Republicans concerned about Greene’s polarizing reputation possibly alienating moderate Republicans and independents needed to unseat Ossoff. In a detailed message on social media platform X, Greene criticized Republican financiers and strategists, stressing that a Senate “that doesn’t work” wouldn’t suit her, as it is led by politicians against grassroots Trump advocates and resistant to significant change.
She elaborated on her stance, saying, “If I’m going to fight for a team, it will only be a team willing to lay it all on the line to save this country.” Ossoff, currently serving his first term, won his position narrowly in a historically Republican-dominated state that has more recently become fiercely competitive. Given these dynamics, Republicans are eager to challenge Ossoff to extend their slim Senate majority.
The announcement followed Republican Governor Brian Kemp’s Monday decision to abstain from the 2026 Senate race, leaving the field open for the GOP nomination. Meanwhile, U.S. Representative Buddy Carter from Georgia’s coast has emerged as the first prominent Republican candidate to step forward, declaring his candidacy on Thursday.
Beyond Carter, six other Republican officeholders have expressed interest in the race. These include Representatives Mike Collins and Rich McCormick, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, state Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, state Insurance Commissioner John King, and state Senator Greg Dolezal. Eric Tanenblatt, a significant GOP fundraiser and ally of Kemp who has previously supported Trump opponents in presidential primaries, predicted a competitive primary, acknowledging the rarity of open Senate seats.
Although Greene is a well-known figure nationally and has a strong fundraising capability, her history of supporting conspiracy theories and conflicts within her party defined her tenure. Highlighting her influence, she pointed out to reporters that her social media following surpasses 11 million, attributing this to her clear stance on issues. While Greene’s appeal among primary voters loyal to the president remains high, she opted not to pursue a Senate bid one day after she indicated she was contemplating it.
“I’m going to give it some thought, talk to my family. I’m honored to have so much support from the great people of Georgia. And I have options,” Greene said previously. Elected to the House in 2020, Greene initially sought a seat in a competitive district in Atlanta’s northern areas but then switched to the more conservative 14th District in Georgia’s northwest. Despite facing backlash and being stripped of her committee assignments by a bipartisan vote in February 2021, she maintained her association with controversial views, notably regarding the January 6 Capitol riot defendants.
Though welcomed back into the broader Republican fold by Kevin McCarthy, with whom she allied, Greene continued to engage in disputes with both parties. These differences ultimately led to her expulsion from the House Freedom Caucus in 2023.