Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp passes on running for Senate

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will not run for Senate in 2026, according to three people familiar with his decision.

Kemp, a popular Republican, looked like the most formidable potential challenger to Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, the first-term Democrat.

Without Kemp in the race, Republicans may face an unpredictable primary that could include divisive candidates like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Ossoff is still likely to face a difficult race in a historically conservative state that President Donald Trump carried last November.