Who is running for Governor (Georgia) in 2026?
Here are the candidates for Governor on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for all voters in Georgia.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Side by side
Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.
| Issue | Rick JacksonRepublican | Keisha Lance BottomsDemocrat |
|---|---|---|
| Safety net programs | Keep them, but add work requirements for able-bodied adultsSaid · medium | Expand help for childcare, housing and paid family leaveSaid · medium |
| Healthcare | Private insurance with more competition and price transparency, keeping protections for pre-existing conditionsSaid · medium | Keep the Affordable Care Act and fix what is brokenSaid · medium |
| Abortion | No public position | Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)Said · low |
| Guns | No public position | Add universal background checks and red-flag lawsSaid · medium |
| Immigration | Secure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadySaid · medium | No public position |
| Housing and growth | No public position | Allow townhomes and apartments in more places to bring prices downSaid · low |
| Policing and crime | More police, with a focus on repeat offendersSaid · medium | Fund police and add reforms like body cameras and use-of-force limitsSaid · low |
| Election rules | No public position | Photo ID, but with free IDs and more early votingSaid · low |
| Childcare and pre-K | No public position | Guarantee low-cost childcare for all families plus universal pre-KSaid · medium |
| Transgender athletes | No, teams should be based on biological sex, with open or coed optionsSaid · medium | No public position |
| DEI programs | Ban DEI offices and required training at public institutionsSaid · medium | No public position |
Rick Jackson
RepublicanBusinessman (founder of a health care company)
Rick Jackson is the Republican nominee for Governor on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot1. His campaign says he grew up in foster care, started in commission sales and built a health care company that serves patients in all 50 states2. His campaign says he will cut taxes, lower costs, freeze property taxes and cut the state income tax2.
Where they stand 6 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
ImmigrationSecure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadymedium
Safety net programsKeep them, but add work requirements for able-bodied adultsmedium
Said · medium confidence- The AJC reported he would seek federal approval for Medicaid block grants that require work, and opposes full expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. (2026-04) source
- His five-point plan would cover people who earn too much for traditional Medicaid while keeping work requirements. (2026-09-08) source
HealthcarePrivate insurance with more competition and price transparency, keeping protections for pre-existing conditionsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His action plan calls for lowering health care costs with better technology, cutting out middlemen and negotiating better pharmacy rates, and he opposes full expansion of Medicaid. (2026-09) source
- His five-point plan would expand coverage for people who earn too much for traditional Medicaid but too little for other coverage, with work requirements. (2026-09-08) source
Transgender athletesNo, teams should be based on biological sex, with open or coed optionsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His action plan says to ensure boys do not compete in girls' sports. (2026-09) source
DEI programsBan DEI offices and required training at public institutionsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His action plan says to prohibit DEI programs in state government. (2026-09) source
Policing and crimeMore police, with a focus on repeat offendersmedium
Said · medium confidence- His action plan says to support law enforcement with resources and training and to ban revolving-door justice. (2026-09) source
No public position found on: Minimum wage, Business regulation, Abortion, Guns, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Religion in schools, China policy.
Keisha Lance Bottoms
DemocratFormer Mayor of Atlanta (2018 to 2022)
Keisha Lance Bottoms is the Democratic nominee for Governor on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot1. She served as mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022 and later served as a senior adviser to President Biden3. Her campaign platform covers health care, housing, education, voting and public safety2.
Where they stand 8 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
HealthcareKeep the Affordable Care Act and fix what is brokenmedium
Said · medium confidence- Her campaign says she will lower health care costs by expanding Medicaid and replacing the Georgia Pathways program with coverage that works for families. (2026-10) source
- The AJC reported that her healthcare plan would expand Medicaid, lower health care premiums and create a prescription drug affordability board. (2026-04-24) source
Safety net programsExpand help for childcare, housing and paid family leavemedium
Said · medium confidence- Her campaign plans an affordable housing trust fund, down payment and renter assistance, universal pre-K and universal childcare. (2026-10) source
GunsAdd universal background checks and red-flag lawsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Her campaign says she supports universal background checks and a red flag law. (2026-10) source
Childcare and pre-KGuarantee low-cost childcare for all families plus universal pre-Kmedium
Said · medium confidence- Her campaign calls for universal childcare and a plan to guarantee universal pre-K. (2026-10) source
AbortionLegal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)low
Said · low confidence- Her campaign says she will fight to restore a woman's right to choose and protect reproductive freedom. (2026-10) source
Election rulesPhoto ID, but with free IDs and more early votinglow
Said · low confidence- Her campaign says she will push back on laws that make voting harder and support more early voting, protected absentee voting and a state holiday on Election Day. (2026-10) source
Housing and growthAllow townhomes and apartments in more places to bring prices downlow
Said · low confidence- Her campaign says it will bring housing costs down by building more housing and moving projects faster, with a statewide fast-track for permitting. (2026-10) source
Policing and crimeFund police and add reforms like body cameras and use-of-force limitslow
Said · low confidence- Her campaign says she will expand state support for local law enforcement (GBI capacity and forensic resources) alongside violence prevention, diversion and treatment, and a red flag law. (2026-10) source
No public position found on: Minimum wage, Business regulation, Immigration, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.