Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan launches Democratic bid for governor

Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who was previously a Republican, launched his gubernatorial campaign as a Democrat on Tuesday. 

“As Georgia’s first Democratic governor in 28 years, I will stand up to Trump and his yes men in our state while bringing down the costs of childcare, health care, and housing so every Georgia family is in the best position possible. That’s what Georgia deserves,” Duncan said in a statement announcing his candidacy. 

In his launch video, Duncan calls attacks from President Trump “a badge of honor” and highlights his break with the GOP. The Republican-turned-Democrat pledged “to make Georgia the frontline of democracy and a backstop against extremism.” 

Duncan’s campaign comes after he formerly joined the Democratic Party last month.  

Georgia’s Republican Party expelled Duncan, who spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, from the party following his endorsement of former Vice President Kamala Harris. 

The former lieutenant governor has been a staunch Trump critic and the GOP under Trump since the president’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. 

Duncan joins an already crowded Democratic gubernatorial primary field that includes former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D), state Rep. Derrick Jackson (D), former state Sen. Jason Esteves (D), former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond, and church found Olujimi Browner. 

The general election for the state’s governor's mansion is expected to be one of the more competitive gubernatorial races next year. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as a toss up. 

State Attorney General Chris Carr (R ) and Lieutenant Gov. Burt Jones (R ) are among the Republicans running in that party’s primary.