Buddy Carter becomes first Republican to launch campaign for Ossoff’s seat

Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) launched his candidacy for Senate in Georgia, the first of possibly several Republicans officially seeking to oust Sen. Jon Ossoff (D). 

“Georgians will have a very simple choice in 2026: do you want a MAGA warrior for you or do you want a trans warrior for they/them? I’m with you. You can guess where Jon Ossoff is. Game on,” Carter said in a post on X on Thursday. 

Carter’s announcement comes after Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) made a much-anticipated decision against running for Senate in 2026.