Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King announced his candidacy for the 2026 U.S. Senate race in a bid to unseat Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. King, who has positioned himself as a supporter of President Trump, declared that Georgia needs a new voice in the Senate, stating, “President Trump needs reinforcements.”
Following the decision of U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene not to pursue the Republican nomination for the Senate, King has now joined U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, who announced his candidacy after Governor Brian Kemp said he would not run. This development hints at a potentially competitive Republican primary with various candidates showing interest.
Among those considering a bid are U.S. Reps. Mike Collins and Rich McCormick, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, and state Sen. Greg Dolezal. The contest is shaping up to be a wide-open race among the GOP contenders.
In his campaign announcement, King, 61, highlighted his journey, starting with his birth in Mexico and advancing to major general in the Georgia National Guard. He also has law enforcement experience as an Atlanta police officer and Doraville police chief. “I’ve never backed down from a fight,” King said, emphasizing his concern over another six years with Ossoff in office.
King recalled his service as an Atlanta police officer, sharing incidents where he was stabbed and shot in the line of duty. Notably, King was a part of the controversial Red Dog unit known for its aggressive anti-crime operations.
King’s National Guard tenure captured Governor Kemp’s attention, eventually leading to his appointment as the state’s insurance commissioner after the suspension of Jim Beck. Kemp highlighted King’s integrity, aiming to rebuild trust in the office after scandals involving Beck and his predecessor, John Oxendine. King officially secured the position in 2022, making history as the first Hispanic to achieve a statewide office in Georgia.
Kemp has strategically appointed a diverse slate of officials, diversifying the heavily white and male Republican ranks. King, fluent in Spanish, served as a communicator for Kemp during the pandemic, releasing his candidacy videos in both English and Spanish.
Though King has become more visible at political events and was instrumental in Kemp’s efforts to curb civil lawsuit verdicts, he remains relatively unknown to the broader electorate. To launch a formidable Senate campaign, he will need to demonstrate fundraising capabilities far beyond the $1 million he raised in 2022 for his reelection—a figure deemed insufficient for a high-profile Senate run. By contrast, Ossoff secured more than $11 million just in the initial months of 2025, indicating a costly race ahead.