Buddy Carter Announces Senate Run in Georgia, Setting Up Contentious 2026 Race

U.S. Representative Buddy Carter, a Republican representing Georgia’s 1st congressional district, has officially declared his candidacy for the state’s Senate seat in the 2026 election. This announcement positions him as the first Republican challenger to incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, setting the stage for what is anticipated to be a highly competitive and closely watched Senate race.

Carter’s entry into the race has been long anticipated, with the congressman reportedly laying the groundwork for a potential Senate bid for several years. His decision to officially launch his campaign came after Georgia’s Republican Governor Brian Kemp announced that he would not be vying for the Senate seat himself. Kemp’s decision has been viewed by some analysts as potentially boosting Ossoff’s chances of reelection, as Kemp is considered a popular figure within the Republican Party in Georgia.

In a clear attempt to appeal to the conservative base of the Republican Party, Carter has positioned himself as a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump and his "MAGA" agenda. This messaging was evident in his debut campaign advertisement, released on May 8. In the ad, Carter portrays himself as a "MAGA warrior" who has actively supported Trump’s policies, specifically highlighting his efforts to "secure our border."

The advertisement also took a sharp turn towards cultural issues, with Carter directly referencing Senator Ossoff’s vote against a Republican-backed bill that aimed to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. In the ad, Carter stated that he "knows the difference between a man and a woman," a statement widely interpreted as an attack on Senator Ossoff’s stance on transgender rights.

Carter’s background is somewhat unique for a politician. Prior to entering the realm of politics, he worked as a pharmacist, representing the Savannah area in the House of Representatives since 2015. His tenure in the House has provided him with a platform to build a profile and establish a record that he can now leverage in his Senate campaign.

The race between Carter and Ossoff is expected to be one of the most significant Senate contests in the 2026 election cycle. The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan organization that analyzes elections, has classified Georgia’s Senate seat as one of two "toss-up" races in the 2026 Senate map. The other toss-up race is the open Senate seat in Michigan, which is being vacated by retiring Senator Gary Peters, a Democrat.

The stakes in the 2026 Senate elections are incredibly high, as control of the Senate is likely to be tightly contested. For Democrats to maintain control of the chamber, they would need to successfully defend all 13 Senate seats they currently hold and also gain an additional four seats currently held by Republicans. This presents a considerable challenge, particularly as many of the Republican senators up for reelection in 2026 represent states that are considered to be reliably Republican.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) has already signaled its intention to aggressively target Carter and his campaign. In a statement released following Carter’s announcement, DSCC spokesperson Maeve Coyle criticized Carter, highlighting what she perceived as flaws in his candidacy.

Coyle asserted that Carter’s entry into the race would trigger a "messy, divisive primary" within the Republican Party in Georgia. She further predicted that this primary contest would expose what she characterized as "flawed candidates" and ultimately leave the Republican Party with a "damaged nominee."

The tone of Coyle’s statement suggests that the DSCC views Carter as a vulnerable candidate who can be effectively targeted on issues related to his alignment with the "MAGA" wing of the Republican Party and his stance on social and cultural issues. The DSCC is likely to attempt to portray Carter as being out of step with the broader electorate in Georgia, particularly independent voters and moderate Republicans.

The 2026 Senate race in Georgia is likely to be characterized by heavy spending, intense campaigning, and a focus on key issues such as the economy, healthcare, immigration, and social issues. Both Carter and Ossoff will need to mobilize their supporters, appeal to undecided voters, and effectively communicate their vision for the future of Georgia and the nation.

The outcome of the race will have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate and for the direction of policy in the United States. Given the closely divided nature of the Senate, every seat is crucial, and the Georgia Senate race is sure to be one of the most closely watched and fiercely contested elections in the country. Carter’s entry into the race has officially ignited the battle, and the coming months will undoubtedly be filled with political maneuvering, policy debates, and attempts by both campaigns to define their opponent in the eyes of the voters.