Former Republican Geoff Duncan seeks Georgia governor's office as a Democrat

Duncan, who broke with Trump, is pitching himself as Democrats' best chance to win the governor's race in the critical battleground state.

Published on Feb. 2, 2026

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Geoff Duncan, the former Republican lieutenant governor of Georgia, is running for governor as a Democrat, apologizing for his past conservative stances and pitching himself as the party's best chance to win the state's top office after a 24-year losing streak. Duncan, who rejected Trump's false claims about election fraud, is trying to build a coalition of Democrats, independents, and disaffected Republicans, but faces skepticism from some in the Democratic primary.

Why it matters

Duncan's candidacy as a former Republican represents an effort by the Democratic Party to court moderate and conservative voters who have been turned off by the Trump era. His success or failure could provide lessons for the national party as it debates whether to focus on progressive ideas or try to appeal to a broader range of voters.

The details

Duncan, a former minor-league baseball player, served as lieutenant governor as a Republican until 2020, when he broke with Trump over the former president's false claims about election fraud. He's now running in a crowded Democratic primary, apologizing for his past conservative stances on issues like gun control and abortion. Duncan is pitching himself as the candidate who can build a coalition of Democrats, independents, and disaffected Republicans to win the governor's race.

  • Duncan announced his candidacy for Georgia governor as a Democrat in September 2026.
  • The Democratic primary in Georgia is scheduled for May 19, 2026.

The players

Geoff Duncan

The former Republican lieutenant governor of Georgia who is now running for governor as a Democrat, apologizing for his past conservative stances and pitching himself as the party's best chance to win the state's top office.

Keisha Lance Bottoms

The former mayor of Atlanta who is also running in the Democratic primary for Georgia governor.

Jason Esteves

The former state senator who is also running in the Democratic primary for Georgia governor.

Michael Thurmond

The former elected state Labor Commissioner who is also running in the Democratic primary for Georgia governor.

Ruwa Romman

The state representative who is also running in the Democratic primary for Georgia governor.

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What they’re saying

“Unlike most folks in politics, I'm willing to say I'm sorry for that.”

— Geoff Duncan (wbal.com)

“You've got to win more than your base. And so I'm the only one that shows up in this Democratic primary that's building a big enough coalition of Democrats, independents, and this growing batch of disgusted Republicans.”

— Geoff Duncan (wbal.com)

“I don't have to agree with him on every issue. I don't have to like him personally. I want a candidate that can win. Because we've been on the losing end far too long, and it's been devastating to our community.”

— Tamara Stevens, Democratic activist in Forsyth County (wbal.com)

“It looks like he just wants to be in power and he couldn't get there by being a Republican”

— Fred Hicks, Democratic strategist in Georgia (wbal.com)

What’s next

The Democratic primary in Georgia is scheduled for May 19, 2026, where Duncan will face off against several other candidates including Bottoms, Esteves, Thurmond, Romman, and others.

The takeaway

Duncan's candidacy as a former Republican represents an effort by the Democratic Party to court moderate and conservative voters who have been turned off by the Trump era. His success or failure could provide lessons for the national party as it debates whether to focus on progressive ideas or try to appeal to a broader range of voters in order to win critical battleground states like Georgia.