BREAKING: Former Republican Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, Geoff Duncan, has officially announced his candidacy for governor in 2026 as a Democrat, marking a significant shift in the political landscape of the state. In a powerful video released just moments ago, Duncan stated, “Georgia Republicans threw me out of their party,” while emphasizing his commitment to addressing the pressing issues facing Georgians, including soaring costs for child care, medicine, and housing.
Duncan, who served alongside outgoing Republican Governor Brian Kemp from 2019 to 2023, has been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump. He previously endorsed Kamala Harris for the upcoming 2024 election. His party switch comes after a tumultuous relationship with the Georgia GOP, which culminated in a vote to expel him from the party following his criticisms of Trump’s actions around the 2020 election.
In an op-ed for the Atlanta Journal Constitution last month, Duncan reflected on his political evolution, stating, “My journey to becoming a Democrat started well before Donald Trump tried to steal the 2020 election in Georgia.” He highlighted the discord between Kemp’s administration and Trump’s campaign over the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory in Georgia, asserting that his commitment to democratic values has only strengthened over time.
Duncan now enters a critical race in one of the nation’s top battleground states. He declared, “Georgians deserve leaders with the courage to take on Donald Trump and do what’s right,” promising to bring down the costs of essential services so that every Georgia family can thrive. His announcement comes as Democrats express optimism about winning the governorship, a position not held by a Democrat since Roy Barnes in 1998.
The upcoming election is expected to be fiercely contested, with more than $80 million spent in the last gubernatorial race, making it one of the most expensive contests in the nation. Duncan’s entry adds to a crowded Democratic primary field, which already includes former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and former state Senator Jason Esteves. On the Republican side, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones has announced his candidacy with Trump’s endorsement, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown.
As the political climate heats up, all eyes will be on Georgia, where Duncan’s candidacy could reshape the dynamics of the race. The implications of his switch and campaign strategies will be closely monitored as Georgians gear up for another intense election season.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.