Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr officially announced his candidacy for governor in 2026 on Thursday, becoming the first major contender from either party to enter the race.
The seat will be open after term-limited Republican Gov. Brian Kemp steps down, prompting interest from prominent figures in both parties. On the Republican side, potential candidates include Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Carr positions himself as a “proven conservative” with a record of job creation, public safety, and constitutional defense, drawing inspiration from past Republican leaders like the late Sen. Johnny Isakson, former Gov. Nathan Deal, and Gov. Kemp.
“I’ve seen what it takes to be successful,” Carr said, emphasizing his commitment to economic growth and public safety.
A Conservative Platform and Potential Challenges
Carr has aligned himself closely with Gov. Kemp but may face challenges in a Republican primary from candidates with ties to former President Donald Trump. While Trump endorsed opponents to Carr and Raffensperger in 2022, Carr successfully defeated his challenger, demonstrating his appeal among Georgia voters.
Carr remains confident, stating, “This race isn’t about how loud someone yells or screams; it’s about a conservative record. And I’m the one that has that.”
Strengthening Public Safety and Prosecution
Carr has expanded the attorney general’s role in direct criminal prosecutions, including creating specialized units for human trafficking and gang-related crimes. Since 2019, his human trafficking unit has assisted over 200 victims and participated in 325 investigations. Similarly, the gang prosecution unit has secured more than 40 convictions and indicted over 140 individuals.
“Nobody’s going to come here and locate a business or a job if they don’t feel safe,” Carr noted, underscoring the importance of public safety for economic development.
Early Campaign Launch to Build Support
Carr’s decision to announce early may help him secure donors ahead of the 2025 legislative session when state candidates are barred from fundraising. With rivals like Jones and Raffensperger having deeper financial resources, Carr aims to solidify his position among Republican donors.
Carr’s political career began in 2004 as a staffer for Sen. Johnny Isakson. He later served as Georgia’s Commissioner of Economic Development under Gov. Nathan Deal before being appointed attorney general in 2016.
A Competitive Race Ahead
While the 2026 gubernatorial race is still years away, Carr’s early entry sets the stage for what is expected to be a highly competitive election, with key issues like public safety, economic development, and Republican leadership at the forefront.