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SENATE
Georgia: GOP’s Ossoff Options
Political speculation remains high that Gov. Brian Kemp (R) will challenge Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) in 2026, but the GOP also has other options.
While it is unlikely to see Mr. Kemp, who cannot succeed himself in the next election, announce his Senatorial intentions before the legislative session ends, all await his decision. Clearly, a Kemp candidacy would give the Republicans their best chance of defeating Sen. Ossoff. For his part, the first-term Senator has already announced his intention to seek re-election.
State Insurance Commissioner John King (R) confirms he would have interest in running for the Senate, but looks to defer to Gov. Kemp if the latter man decides to run. Congressmen Buddy Carter (R-Pooler/Savannah) and Rich McCormick (R-Suwanee) are also potential Senate candidates.
Expect Georgia to become the Republicans’ strongest Senate conversion opportunity state.
GOVERNOR
New York: Rep. Lawler Weighing Gubernatorial Bid
Fresh from a strong 52-46% re-election bid against former US Rep. Mondaire Jones (D), US Rep. Mike Lawler (R-Pearl River) is signaling that he would consider running for Governor under the right circumstances.
While winning a statewide race in New York is a long shot for any Republican, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D) poor approval numbers are giving the party leadership hope that their eventual nominee can score an upset.
Should Lawler run for Governor, his House seat would almost assuredly turn back toward the Democrats. While Mr. Jones is unlikely to run again, Katonah-Lewisboro School Board Trustee Liz Whitmer Gereghty – the sister of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) who toyed with running against Jones and Lawler in the 2024 election but backed away before the candidate filing deadline – is listed as a potential 2026 congressional candidate.
Virginia: Rep. Scott Still Toying with Gubernatorial Run
Though it appeared that Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Glen Allen) was wrapping up the open 2025 Democratic gubernatorial nomination, apparently she may not have completely clear sailing.
Veteran Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Newport News), who was originally elected to the House in 1992, has still not closed the door on entering the race. Representative Spanberger has already amassed more than $5 million for her gubernatorial race, so if Rep. Scott decides to run, he will be severely outspent, at least in the early going.
On the Republican side, with Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) seeking re-election and Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Montross) saying he will seek re-election to the House, Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears (R) appears to have the party nomination clinched.
In a Spanberger-Sears gubernatorial campaign with Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) ineligible to seek a second term, the eventual Democratic nominee will begin the campaign in the clear favorite’s position.
Jim Ellis is a 35-year veteran of politics at the state and national levels. He has served ss executive director for two national political action committees, as well as a consultant to the three national Republican Party organizations in DC, the National Federation of Independent Business, and various national conservative groups.
Born and raised in Sacramento, California, he earned a B. A. in Political Science from the University of California at Davis in 1979. Jim raised his daughter, Jacqueline, alone after his wife died following a tragic car accident. He helped establish the Joan Ellis Victims Assistance Network in Rochester, NH. Jim also is a member of the Northern Virginia Football Officials Association, which officiates high school games throughout the region.
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