Steve Bannon delivered an emphatic message to the Georgia Republican Convention attendees on Friday night, urging them to focus on the present rather than future elections. Taking the stage in Dalton, Georgia, Bannon emphasized prioritizing support for President Trump rather than looking ahead to the 2026 midterm elections. “Don’t even think about the midterms,” he declared, emphasizing the need to concentrate on backing Trump right now.
Despite Bannon’s insistence on focusing on current politics, the discussions among attendees suggested otherwise. In the backdrop of party business, including electing officers and adopting a new platform, thoughts on the 2026 races for governor and Senate permeated conversations over the weekend.
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, in a conversation with reporters on Saturday, observed that political figures are already gearing up for future contests. Greene herself hinted at ambitions beyond her current role. Having decided against challenging Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, Greene shifted her focus to state-level issues, reinforcing speculation about a possible gubernatorial run to succeed Georgia’s term-limited Republican Governor Brian Kemp.
Greene’s speech echoed themes aligned with former President Trump’s agenda. She called for bold reforms such as abolishing the state income tax and reforming public education with “classical” principles. Additionally, she suggested revamping Georgia’s economic incentives to prioritize state projects over foreign and entertainment industry ventures. “Make Georgia great again, for Georgia,” she urged the crowd.
During a pre-speech interview, Greene did not dismiss a gubernatorial candidacy, describing the prospect as an “option,” albeit noting her dedication to her current district.
Another potential gubernatorial contender is Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who signaled his intentions to enter the race later in the summer. Speaking to delegates, Jones affirmed his commitment to engaging fully in the next election cycle. He highlighted his affiliation with Trump, acknowledging the limited circle of prominent Georgia Republicans who continued to support Trump post-2020.
Jones took the opportunity to subtly critique state Attorney General Chris Carr, who has already announced his gubernatorial campaign for 2026. Despite attending the convention, Carr opted for a more intimate approach with a personal campaign event elsewhere. Nonetheless, Carr expressed his confidence in Republican backing, positioning himself as a “proud Kemp Republican” focused on fundamental state issues such as agriculture and public safety.
Securing a Republican victory against Senator Ossoff emerged as a central rallying point for the weekend. U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, already initiating his Senate campaign with significant advertising investment, underscored this sentiment, asserting the necessity of bolstering Trump’s position in the Senate.
State Insurance Commissioner John King echoed these sentiments, urging strong Republican support statewide to facilitate a four-year majority for Trump in the Senate. Although former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley voiced interest in the Senate race, he did not address the convention.
Another potential Senate candidate appeared in the form of U.S. Rep. Mike Collins. While Collins acknowledged the importance of winning Ossoff’s seat with a “solid conservative,” he remained non-committal about his candidacy, stating, “We’re going to see how this thing plays out.” Collins acknowledged the strategic need to reclaim the Senate seat, emphasizing the race’s importance while not tipping his hand on his own intentions.