GOP gears up to challenge Georgia’s Democratic senator in state Trump won by 2%

Republicans are gearing up for the 2026 U.S. Senate election in Georgia, viewing it as a key opportunity to widen their margin over Democrats in the Senate. With Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen announcing that she will not seek re-election in New Hampshire, all eyes are now on Georgia’s Senate race.

Nick Puglia, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) regional press secretary, emphasized the importance of battleground states like Georgia in the upcoming election. He stated, “Every battleground state — Georgia, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Minnesota – is in play, and we plan to win.”

Sen. Jon Ossoff, a first-term Democrat from Georgia, is facing a tough re-election battle in a state that President Donald Trump won in 2024 by a slim margin. Republicans are targeting Ossoff, criticizing his policies as extreme and reckless. They have also highlighted his failure to take action after the tragic murder of Laken Riley and his perceived inability to stand up to pro-Hamas radicals in his party.

While Ossoff has not yet responded to these criticisms, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is seen as the GOP’s ideal candidate to challenge Ossoff in the upcoming election. Although Kemp has not formally announced his candidacy, he has hinted at the possibility, stating, “We need to flip that seat. We should have a Republican in that seat, and I believe we’ll have one after the ’26 election.”

Ossoff, who became the first millennial elected to the U.S. Senate in 2021, has focused on infrastructure upgrades, support for veterans, disaster relief efforts, public safety initiatives, and healthcare expansion during his time in office. He has also been vocal in countering Trump’s executive actions and advocating for various issues affecting Georgia.

In addition to Georgia, the NRSC has identified New Hampshire, Michigan, and Minnesota as key battleground states for the 2026 midterm elections. Shaheen’s decision not to seek re-election in New Hampshire and the announcements by Senators Gary Peters of Michigan and Tina Smith of Minnesota have further complicated the Democrats’ efforts to regain control of the Senate.

With Republicans eyeing these key Senate races, the 2026 election is shaping up to be highly competitive and significant in determining the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. Stay tuned for more updates as the election season unfolds.