Governor Kemp Endorsed Greg Dolezal for Lieutenant Governor

The Georgia governor backed the Republican state senator ahead of the November general election.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Elections

Governor Kemp Endorsed Greg Dolezal for Lieutenant Governor

Live Poll

Do you consider a governor's endorsement when deciding your vote in state elections?

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has officially endorsed state Senator Greg Dolezal for lieutenant governor. Dolezal is the Republican nominee running against Democratic candidate Josh McLaurin in the upcoming general election.

Why it matters

The endorsement signals strong alignment within the state Republican party as it seeks to fill the seat currently held by outgoing Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones. Kemp highlighted his past legislative work with Dolezal on tax cuts and school vouchers as key factors in his decision.

The gubernatorial endorsement serves as an official indicator of party alignment for the November 3, 2026, general election. This move follows an earlier cycle where current Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones unsuccessfully campaigned for governor.

The players

Brian Kemp

He is the serving Governor of Georgia who announced his formal support for the Republican candidate.

Greg Dolezal

He is a state Senator and the current Republican nominee for lieutenant governor.

Josh McLaurin

He is the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor seeking to defeat the Republican candidate.

Burt Jones

He is the outgoing lieutenant governor who previously ran an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign earlier in 2026.

The details

Governor Kemp released a formal statement announcing his support for the state senator, pointing to their history of collaboration on infrastructure projects and school voucher initiatives. Dolezal currently prepares to face Democratic nominee Josh McLaurin in the race for the second-highest executive position in the state.

Timeline

  1. Governor Brian Kemp endorsed Greg Dolezal on September 24, 2026.

  2. The Georgia general election will take place on November 3, 2026.

Political Context

The endorsement aligns with Kemp's legislative history regarding the Georgia income tax cut legislation. This collaboration highlights the shared policy goals that unite the Republican ticket in the current electoral cycle.

Voters will decide the state's next lieutenant governor during the general election on November 3. The outcome of this race determines which candidate will oversee the state senate and hold significant influence over future tax and infrastructure policy.

The takeaway

Voters should review candidate platforms on school vouchers and infrastructure to understand how their vote impacts state policy. Evaluating how these candidates have previously collaborated with the governor provides insight into their potential governing priorities.

Further reading

For more on upcoming races in the state, visit Georgia Elections.

Live Poll

Do you consider a governor's endorsement when deciding your vote in state elections?