Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, a Republican who broke with President Donald Trump earlier than campaigning extensively for former Vice President Kamala Harris final 12 months, introduced on Tuesday he’s operating for the state’s governorship as a Democrat.
Duncan, who should compete in an more and more crowded Democratic major, is pitching himself as an eminently electable candidate with expertise battling Trump. However he’s virtually sure to come back underneath hearth for the conservative views he held throughout a decade as a GOP officeholder.
Andrew Harnik through Getty Photos
Democrats haven’t gained the Georgia governorship this century, however are hopeful about their possibilities in a good midterm political surroundings in a swing state Trump gained by just a little greater than two share factors in 2024. A victory can be a breakthrough for the celebration in a state the place they’ve made main features, together with electing Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, however have been locked out of energy on the state stage.
“I’ve never wavered in taking on Trump,” Duncan says in his launch video. “So Georgia Republicans threw me out of their party. I was leaving anyway. Now I’m running for governor as a proud Democrat to focus on what matters most to Georgians.”
Whereas Duncan’s electoral historical past and willingness to battle Trump over the 2020 election outcomes are prone to endear him to major voters, many positions he held as state legislator and lieutenant governor could possibly be difficult to clarify. He described himself as “100% pro-life” in 2018, initially ran for lieutenant governor as a Trump supporter and voted to dam Medicaid growth in 2014.
Duncan is now operating as a supporter of increasing Medicaid within the state. He’s stated turning into a Democrat has made it simpler to “love my neighbor” in an op-ed the place he additionally endorsed “meaningful gun legislation” and advised utilizing the state’s wet day fund to scale back little one starvation.
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond and former state Sen. Jason Esteves are additionally operating within the Democratic major, and progressive state Rep. Ruwa Romman has stated she is contemplating a bid.
In an announcement, Bottoms attacked Duncan for being new to lots of the causes Democrats champion.
“I am reminded of the poetic words, ‘I’m not new to this, I’m true to this.’ Georgians want a Governor who has fought to expand Medicaid instead of eliminate it, who protects reproductive rights rather than stands ‘100 percent’ against them and who puts Georgia, not political ambition, first,” she stated. “I look forward to proudly continuing the longstanding fight for these Democratic values on behalf of the people of Georgia, just as I have my entire adult life.”
On the Republican aspect, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is operating with Trump’s endorsement, making him a heavy favourite, although Legal professional Normal Chris Carr can be within the race, and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is contemplating a bid. Incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp is term-limited.
