The Midterm Editor's note: This page was last updated November 6, 2026. The result recorded below is a race call by a news organization, not a certified total; the state election office certifies the official count.
Result
Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) defeated Rick Jackson (R). The Associated Press called the race on the night of November 3, 2026, with Bottoms winning 54.2 percent to 45.8 percent. It is an open Republican-held seat — Governor Brian Kemp was term-limited — and the win made Bottoms the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Winner | Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) |
| Called by | Associated Press, night of November 3, 2026 |
| Outcome | Democratic pickup |
A race call is a projection, not a certified total. County canvasses and state certification follow, as the certification calendar explains. The full map is on the governor results page.
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Office | Governor of Georgia, four-year term |
| Candidates | Rick Jackson (R) and Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) |
| Incumbent | Brian Kemp (R), term-limited |
| Election Day | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 |
| Runoff rule | If no candidate wins a majority, the top two advance to a runoff |
| All races | 2026 governor races hub |
| Voting guide | How to vote in Georgia |
| Race rating | See Cook, Sabato, and DDHQ for current ratings and dates |
| Official results | Georgia Secretary of State |
What the open seat decides
Georgia's governor appoints the heads of state agencies, signs the budget, and holds a veto that the legislature can override only with a two-thirds vote. The office also shapes election administration: the secretary of state runs elections, but the governor signs election legislation and appoints members of state boards, which is why the race is watched far beyond Atlanta.
The state's growth is the policy backdrop. Metro Atlanta keeps adding residents, and the resulting pressure on housing, roads, water, and schools lands on state and local budgets. Rural hospitals and the state's film and logistics industries are the other recurring subjects. Both candidates will be asked how they would pay for what the state has already committed to.
Georgia is also the state where the rules themselves are contested. Election law has changed several times since 2020, and litigation over district lines and procedures has continued through the decade. The next governor will administer whatever rules survive the courts.
Who is running
Rick Jackson (Republican). Jackson is the Republican nominee. His campaign and the state party's filing list the offices and private-sector roles he is running on, and the secretary of state publishes his certified filing.
Keisha Lance Bottoms (Democratic). Bottoms served as mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022, according to the city's records, and later held a role in the federal government. She entered the race with the name recognition of the state's largest city behind her.
Other candidates. Georgia ballots can include Libertarian and independent candidates, and a third-party share can force a runoff by keeping both major candidates below 50%. The Georgia secretary of state publishes the certified list.
Polls and ratings
We do not publish an unsourced poll number, and Georgia's recent polling record is a reminder that a single survey is not a result. Trackers that date their averages are the fastest way to see where the race stands:
- 270toWin's 2026 governor map — state-by-state polling and ratings.
- RealClearPolitics — a rolling average of published Georgia surveys.
- Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball — race ratings with dates.
A rating describes the state of a race at a moment; it is not a forecast, and the raters do not always agree. Check the date before relying on one.
The 2028 angle
Georgia is one of the few states that has voted for both parties in recent presidential elections, and its 16 electoral votes make it a likely 2028 battleground. The governor does not run the presidential election, but the office appoints board members, signs election law, and controls a state party's practical resources. A governor from either party would enter the 2028 cycle with a national profile.
How to vote in Georgia
Georgia's registration deadline has passed. The state requires photo ID for in-person voting and an ID copy with an absentee ballot, and early voting runs for about three weeks before Election Day. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Check your registration and absentee ballot status at the Georgia secretary of state. Our Georgia voting guide covers ID rules, drop boxes, and the runoff calendar.
What to watch
- The Atlanta metro. Cobb, Gwinnett, Fulton, and DeKalb counties supply a large share of the statewide vote, and turnout there decides most statewide races.
- The Senate race. The Senate contest on the same ballot will drive turnout and spending, and the two races will be read together on election night.
- The runoff threshold. If no candidate clears 50%, Georgia's calendar extends into December, and the campaign restarts.
Results
Results were reported after polls closed on November 3, 2026. County results are certified by the state, and a race that goes to a runoff will not be settled on election night. Our results hub explains how race calls are made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is running for governor of Georgia in 2026?
Rick Jackson (R) and Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) are the major-party candidates, according to late-October reporting. The secretary of state publishes the certified ballot.
Is Brian Kemp running again?
No. Kemp was elected in 2018 and 2022 and is term-limited, so the seat is open.
Does Georgia have a runoff for governor?
Georgia requires a runoff when no candidate wins a majority in the general election, and third-party votes can keep both major candidates below 50%. The secretary of state publishes the runoff date.
When is Election Day in Georgia?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting begins about three weeks earlier, and polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where can I find polls for the Georgia governor race?
Use a tracker that dates its averages, such as 270toWin or RealClearPolitics, and check the sponsor and field dates on the underlying polls.
Sources
- 270toWin: 2026 governor elections — race list, polling, and ratings. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Georgia Secretary of State — registration, ballot, and results. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Cook Political Report — race ratings. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Sabato's Crystal Ball — race ratings. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Associated Press — Georgia coverage and race calls. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- National Conference of State Legislatures — state election rules. Accessed October 28, 2026.
Last updated October 28, 2026. The candidate field is based on late-October reporting and should be re-checked against the certified ballot.