Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2026 Georgia gubernatorial race, setting the stage for a potentially fractious primary within his party. Raffensperger, known for his steadfast refusal to comply with former President Donald Trump's demands to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia, made his campaign announcement on Wednesday.

“I’m a conservative Republican, and I’m prepared to make the tough decisions. I follow the law and the Constitution, and I’ll always do the right thing for Georgia no matter what,” Raffensperger stated in a promotional video, underscoring his commitment to principled leadership.

The Secretary of State faces a challenging path ahead as he seeks support from a Republican base that remains influenced by Trump’s MAGA movement. His resistance to Trump’s directives during the contentious 2020 election has left some within the party wary of his loyalty.

In his campaign launch, Raffensperger not only highlighted his credentials as a “successful entrepreneur” but also laid out his vision for Georgia’s future. He promised to enhance state affordability and spur job growth, leveraging his business acumen.

Raffensperger also doubled down on traditional Republican values, citing his victories over top Democrats like Stacey Abrams and President Joe Biden. His campaign platform includes advocating for parental choice in education and opposing gender-affirming surgeries for minors, aiming to establish a “bold conservative agenda.”

The race to succeed Governor Brian Kemp promises to be competitive, with state Attorney General Chris Carr and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones also vying for the GOP nomination. Notably, Jones received Trump’s endorsement last month, which could play a critical role in swaying primary voters.

On the Democratic side, the party is already capitalizing on the divisions within the Republican camp. “Brad Raffensperger’s campaign launch injects a new level of chaos into what was already a messy primary — and is bad news for Burt Jones and Chris Carr,” said Kevin Donohoe, a spokesperson for the Democratic Governors Association. He predicted a "vicious primary" among the three Republican contenders.

As the campaign trail heats up, all eyes will be on how Raffensperger navigates the complex political landscape, with his commitment to law and integrity at the forefront of his gubernatorial bid.