VININGS, Ga. — Amid the rising tide of the MAGA movement within the Georgia Republican Party, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is charting a course that he hopes will steer him to the governor’s mansion without aligning directly against former President Donald Trump.

Raffensperger gained national attention for resisting Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. As he runs for governor, he's avoiding the anti-Trump rhetoric, focusing instead on traditional Republican themes like tax capping and business growth. At a recent event at the Vinings Rotary Club, he emphasized his conservative credentials, built from his experience as a businessman.

“I have my own lane, and I feel good where we are,” Raffensperger told POLITICO, underscoring his identity as a "Christian conservative businessman."

His campaign strategy reflects a broader test of whether the non-MAGA faction of the party can survive in a battleground state like Georgia. Despite successfully defending his position against a Trump-endorsed opponent in 2022, Raffensperger faces a tougher challenge in the 2026 governor's race. The Georgia GOP has been veering away from its small-government ethos toward a more populist, right-wing ideology.

Polls show Raffensperger in third place behind Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and billionaire Rick Jackson, raising questions about his viability. “This is the party of Trump today — like it or not, it is,” remarked Casey Cagle, a former GOP lieutenant governor, reflecting on the party’s transformation.

Despite the uphill battle, Raffensperger remains optimistic. “I'm doing just fine. I'm going to be in the run-off,” he stated confidently after a campaign event.

However, his approach to campaigning starkly contrasts with his opponents'. While Jones and Jackson engage in high-profile, populist-driven rallies, Raffensperger focuses on policy and governance, discussing his accomplishments in streamlining professional licensing and securing funds for Ponzi scheme victims.

This quieter, more measured approach has resonated with certain voter segments, particularly in suburban areas like Cobb County, which have shifted away from Trump's brand of politics. Jason Shepherd, former Cobb County Republican chair, noted, “These low-key civic group events have been the hallmark of Brad Raffensperger’s success.”

Yet, the broader political climate might not be in his favor. With Trump regaining influence and Raffensperger's campaign being outspent by tens of millions, his path to victory appears narrow.

Reflecting on his decision to run rather than retire from politics, Raffensperger’s ally, Gabriel Sterling, remarked, “He could have set up a foundation, gone around the country and just talked about democracy and he would have been applauded. Instead he chose to go into the battle and fight.”

As the primary approaches, Raffensperger’s campaign will test whether there remains a viable path for traditional conservatism in the age of Trump's GOP. Whatever the outcome, his persistence in maintaining his political identity amidst a shifting party landscape remains a bold gamble.