In brief
Brad Raffensperger, the Republican Georgia Secretary of State known for rejecting calls to overturn the 2020 election results, has announced his candidacy for governor in 2026. Raffensperger's campaign will target business-minded Republicans while promising a strong conservative agenda, amidst a divided GOP environment and ahead of significant primary challenges. His past defiance of Trump may play a pivotal role as he navigates party dynamics in the lead-up to the election.
ATLANTA (META) — Brad Raffensperger, the Republican Secretary of State of Georgia who defied Donald Trump’s demands to overturn the state’s 2020 election results, announced on Wednesday that he is running for governor in 2026.
The engineering entrepreneur aims to resonate with business-focused Republicans, pledging a strongly conservative campaign despite facing backlash from Trump allies. His candidacy heightens the competition within the Republican primary in a state that has maintained a streak of Republican governors since 2002.
In his announcement video, Raffensperger asserted, “I’m a conservative Republican, and I’m prepared to make the tough decisions. I follow the law and the Constitution, and I’ll always do the right thing for Georgia.”
Having successfully won reelection in 2022 despite Trump’s hostility, Raffensperger now faces the challenge of gauging GOP primary voters' reactions towards a candidate targeted by the former president. Complicating matters, the Georgia Republican Party previously voted to bar Raffensperger from running under its banner, but the party chairman indicated that this decision might not hold.
Already in the race are two other prominent Republicans: Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Attorney General Chris Carr, both of whom hold contrasting views on previous election outcomes and their support for Trump.
Raffensperger's plans for a bold conservative agenda include initiatives like eliminating the state income tax, implementing property tax caps for seniors, and banning certain drugs associated with gender-affirming care. He also aims to collaborate with Trump on job growth and uphold law enforcement initiatives.
As an introverted figure thrust into the national scene, Raffensperger is leveraging his high-profile status. Having recently sold his business, he possesses the funding needed for his campaign. His reluctance to support Trump’s claims of election fraud catalyzed a dramatic shift in his political journey.
The competition heats up as Georgia politicians gear up for the upcoming election cycle, with noteworthy Democratic candidates, including former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Senate candidate Jason Esteves, also entering the fray.