Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday formally endorsed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones for governor, ending months of speculation about whether the term-limited governor would throw his weight behind his second-in-command or attempt to stay neutral in what is now an open seat.
The endorsement, which a Kemp aide confirmed to WACN 21, came after several weeks of private meetings between the two at the Governor’s Mansion. It effectively clears the Republican primary field more than a year before the May 2026 primary and consolidates the establishment wing of the Georgia GOP behind Jones.
“This is the right person, at the right time, to lead our state forward,” Kemp said in a joint statement released by the Jones campaign. “Burt has been with me every step of the way — on tax cuts, on public safety, on putting parents back in charge of their kids’ education.”
Jones, a former state senator from Jackson who has served as lieutenant governor since 2020, called the endorsement “humbling” and promised to continue Kemp’s policy agenda if elected. He is expected to formally announce his campaign within the next two weeks.
The endorsement leaves state Attorney General Chris Carr as the only major Republican still publicly weighing a gubernatorial bid. Carr, who was seen as the most likely alternative candidate, told reporters Monday afternoon that he would take “a few more weeks” to make a final decision but stopped short of ruling out a run.
On the Democratic side, former state House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams is widely expected to mount a third gubernatorial bid. She has not formally announced but has been increasingly visible at party events across the state in recent weeks.
Political analysts say the timing of Kemp’s endorsement, more than a year before the primary, signals that he wants to avoid a prolonged intraparty fight that could weaken the eventual nominee heading into the general election.
“Governor Kemp is doing what he thinks is best for the party and for his own legacy,” said University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock. “An early endorsement gives Jones time to build a fundraising network and lock down legislative endorsements before anyone else gets in.”
