McBath pauses 2026 bid for Georgia governor
The four-term Democratic lawmaker did not completely rule out a 2026 gubernatorial bid and said she will continue serving in Congress.
'I'm so thankful for the support our family has received as we undergo this difficult process,' Rep. Lucy McBath said in a statement to POLITICO. 'I will be spending this next period focusing on my husband's health and recovery. I cannot make the decision to run for Governor or not at this time.'
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was first to report
McBath was halting her campaign. She had drawn speculation about a possible gubernatorial campaign after
launching an exploratory committee
earlier this month.
McBath had long been floated as a strong Democratic contender for Georgia's top job, as Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is term-limited next year. If elected, McBath would be the country's first Black woman governor and would also be the state's first Democratic governor in over two decades.
Her decision leaves uncertainty over who will emerge as the party's front-runner. Other Democrats who have hinted at potential gubernatorial bids include former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, state Sen. Jason Esteves and former DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Michael Thurmond.
Meanwhile, former Democratic state Rep. Stacey Abrams — who ran and lost to Kemp in 2018 and 2022 — has not ruled out running a third time.
On the GOP side, Attorney General Chris Carr has already entered the race.
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