(The Center Square) – It’s the battle of endorsements between Attorney General Chris Carr and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, with Carr coming out swinging on Tuesday with endorsements from 53 county sheriffs.
Carr and Jones are not the only two candidates in the 2026 gubernatorial race, but until Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger entered the race last week, they were the only two statewide officeholders. At least 21 people have aspirations to succeed Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.
Jones pitched his endorsements from lawmakers, 16 of the state’s county sheriffs and one former sheriff last week.
Carr’s list includes sheriffs from across the state.
“He built the Gang Prosecution Unit, took on fentanyl, and understands the mental health and addiction challenges we’re up against,” said Coweta County Sheriff Lenn Wood in a news release provided by Carr. “Most importantly, he’s working with us on real solutions. That’s why law enforcement across Georgia trusts him to keep our state strong.”
Carr was the first to enter the race, announcing his intentions in November. Jones followed with his announcement in July.
Jones is backed by second-term Republican President Donald Trump’s endorsement on social media in August. The lieutenant governor mentioned that endorsement in chiding his opponents last week.
Jones said in a social media post, “Chris Carr and Brad Raffensperger have one thing in common: They are both Never Trumpers. There is only one candidate in this race that’s always supported and has the full and complete endorsement of @realDonaldTrump.”
Joining Carr, Jones and Raffensperger in the race for the Republican nomination to the state’s top job are Ben Anderson, Clark Dean, Scott Daniel Ellison, Gregg Rodney Kirkpatrick, Billy Gene Minter II, Leland J. Olinger II, Walter Paschal Reeves II, Takosha Mishel Swan and Kenneth Yasger, according to the Georgia Campaign Finance System.
Former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan announced his candidacy as a Democrat last week. Other high-profile Democrats in the race are former Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, state Sen. Jason Esteves and state Rep. Derrick Jackson.
Other Democratic candidates are Akhenaten Hotep Amun, Olu Brown, Benjamin Turner and Ocean Zotique.
