Stacey Abrams Eyes Third Shot at Georgia Governor Despite Past Defeats

Stacey Abrams is reportedly weighing a third consecutive run for Georgia governor in 2026, according to a source with knowledge of her plans. Abrams, who previously served as a Democratic leader in Georgia's state legislature and gained national attention as a voting rights advocate, narrowly lost to Governor Brian Kemp in 2018 and then faced a bigger defeat in the 2022 rematch.

With Kemp unable to seek reelection in 2026 due to term limits, the governor's mansion is wide open. The Cook Political Report has already marked the race as a "toss up," setting the stage for a fierce contest in a state that has proved itself a political battleground in recent years.

Georgia's recent presidential voting history has mirrored the national mood swings, flipping between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Trump took the state in both 2016 and 2024, while Biden pulled off a surprise win in 2020. So, if you thought Georgia was predictable, think again.

On the Republican side, Attorney General Chris Carr has jumped into the race, announcing his campaign in November 2024. Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones is reportedly considering a run as well, and campaign filings show Jones raised $1.7 million for his leadership committee – trailing Carr by about half a million. The GOP bench is clearly not short of ambition.

Democrats have their own contenders lining up. State Senator Jason Esteves recently announced his candidacy, while Rep. Lucy McBath, who had been exploring a run, has stepped back to focus on her husband's health following his cancer diagnosis.

Despite her two prior losses, Abrams has stayed active in Georgia politics and beyond. In 2023, she was named the Ronald W. Walters Endowed Chair for Race and Black Politics at Howard University, one of the country’s top historically Black colleges. She’s also served as senior counsel for the climate nonprofit Rewiring America and founded several organizations, including Fair Fight Action and the Southern Economic Advancement Project, all focused on voting rights, economic power, and community building.

Abrams’s résumé doesn’t stop at politics and activism; she’s an author with several novels and business books to her name, and she currently hosts the weekly podcast "Assembly Required." The news about her contemplating a third gubernatorial run was first reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. As of deadline, Abrams hadn't commented on the speculation.