Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr Thursday became the first candidate to enter the race for governor in 2026.
The Republican said GOP victories in Georgia and across the nation two weeks ago have built momentum for his bid to succeed term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp.
"There's a groundswell of support around the country for strong conservative leadership," Carr said. "The time is now to prioritize better jobs, make our communities safer, and reverse the left's failed immigration policies. I am and will remain committed to furthering these principles, just as I've done as your attorney general."
While Carr is the first Republican to enter the gubernatorial race, he won't be the last. Other likely candidates to succeed Kemp include Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
Jones could have the inside track to gain the support of President-elect Donald Trump. While the lieutenant governor is a staunch Trump ally, the former president backed unsuccessful primary challenges to both Carr and Raffensperger in 2022.
Raffensperger's refusal to "find" the 11,780 votes Trump needed to carry Georgia in 2020 following his defeat by Democrat Joe Biden in the Peach State garnered most of the attention. However, Carr also declined to take part in Trump's efforts to overturn the election results.
On Thursday, Carr cited his work as attorney general to protect Georgia families from human trafficking, gang violence, and fentanyl. He also pointed to his role in making Georgia a business-friendly state while serving as commissioner of the state Department of Economic Development from 2013 until 2016.
Then-Gov. Nathan Deal appointed Carr attorney general in 2016. He won election to a full four-year term in 2018 and was reelected in 2022.
Before moving into state government, Carr served six years as chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson.