Rep. Lucy McBath, a Democrat from Georgia, has officially taken the first step towards a potential bid for governor in 2026. She has launched an exploratory committee in order to begin raising funds for a potential campaign.
In a statement released on Wednesday, McBath expressed her belief that Georgians deserve a governor who truly understands the challenges they face, as she herself has experienced firsthand. As a mother and a breast cancer survivor, she has seen how everyday people are often overlooked in the political process.
McBath has been the subject of speculation regarding a run for statewide office for some time now, especially with current Republican Governor Brian Kemp being term-limited next year. If she were to run and win, McBath could potentially make history as the nation’s first Black woman governor. Additionally, she would be the first Democrat to hold the governorship in Georgia in over twenty years.
The congresswoman’s entry into politics came in 2012 following the tragic death of her son Jordan Davis, who was shot and killed at a gas station over a dispute about loud music. In 2018, she successfully secured a battleground House seat in the Atlanta area, running on a platform focused on gun violence prevention. Despite facing challenges from Republicans during the redistricting process, McBath has since been reelected to Congress.
While McBath is exploring a gubernatorial run, several other candidates have already thrown their hats into the ring. On the Republican side, state Attorney General Chris Carr is among those vying for the governorship. Democrats are also considering their options, with a number of state officials contemplating bids in what is shaping up to be a crowded Republican field.
Looking ahead, McBath expressed her eagerness to engage in conversations with her neighbors and fellow Georgians as she considers a potential campaign. Although Republicans have historically dominated state offices in Georgia, Democrats have made significant gains on the federal level. In 2020, President Joe Biden carried the state, and Democrats managed to secure both Senate seats in that election.
Looking towards the upcoming election cycle, Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) is facing reelection next year, with Republicans actively recruiting Governor Kemp to challenge him. The political landscape in Georgia is evolving, and McBath’s potential gubernatorial bid adds another layer of intrigue to the state’s political scene.
