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 wrote Thursday in a post on the social platform X. 

Carter’s announcement comes after Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) made a much-anticipated decision against running for Senate in 2026. The popular two-term governor’s decision was a blow to Republicans, as he was seen as the strongest opponent against Ossoff. 

Without Kemp in the race, attention turns to several possible candidates who may be looking at running including GOP Georgia Reps. Mike Collins, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rich McCormick, and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R).

Carter’s announcement video said Georgia “spoke” in favor of President Trump in the November election, but Ossoff “doesn’t care.” It slammed Ossoff for votes against legislation that would have increased funding for border security and that would have pulled federal funding from schools that transgender girls and women to participate in girls and women’s sports.

“Jon Ossoff is on the wrong side. Trump has a warrior in Buddy Carter,” the narrator states before the ad shows Trump praising the congressman. “Buddy helped Trump secure our border and put America first.” 

Ossoff, a Democratic senator in a state Trump carried, will be a top target for the GOP in next year’s midterms.

Carter told reporters Georgia needs a senator who will advance Trump’s “America First” policies. He acknowledged the primary could become crowded but said he’s running on his record.

He said he was waiting for Kemp to make his decision before announcing his own decision.

“I’m for the people of Georgia. I’m for the people who voted for America First policies, and I’ve been supporting the president ever since I’ve been up here,” he said.

Ossoff’s campaign manager Ellen Foster said in a statement that the first-term senator will defeat any Republican challenger he faces.

“While the GOP primary field scrambles to outmaneuver each other and audition for Donald Trump’s support, Senator Ossoff’s campaign is already building the most effective and unstoppable turnout effort in Georgia’s history,” Foster said.

The Senate Democrats’ campaign arm was quick to denounce Carter’s candidacy, saying he “is kicking off a messy, divisive primary in Georgia that will expose their flawed candidates and leave them with a damaged nominee.” 

The group said in a statement that Ossoff is “a champion for Georgians and we are confident he will hold this seat in 2026.” 

Greene, who has said she’s considering a run of her own — as well as a potential gubernatorial bid to replace the term-limited Kemp — said she isn’t worried about a messy primary in response to Carter’s announcement. 

“If I were to get in, I’m not concerned about it at all,” she told reporters. “Every single poll shows that I overwhelmingly win.” 

Julia Manchester contributed.

Updated at 11:53 a.m. EDT