{"id":2437989,"date":"2025-05-22T13:26:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T17:26:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/raffensperger-tops-republican-contenders-for-georgia-senate-race-after-kemp-bows-out-poll-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-05-22T13:26:45","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T17:26:45","slug":"raffensperger-tops-republican-contenders-for-georgia-senate-race-after-kemp-bows-out-poll-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/raffensperger-tops-republican-contenders-for-georgia-senate-race-after-kemp-bows-out-poll-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Raffensperger tops Republican contenders for Georgia Senate race after Kemp bows out: Poll &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fraffensperger-tops-republican-contenders-for-georgia-senate-race-after-kemp-bows-out-poll-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2437989&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A recent poll indicates that Georgia secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is the leading Republican candidate in the 2026 Senate race, possibly challenging Democrat Sen. Jon Ossoff. The survey shows Raffensperger tied with Ossoff at approximately 44% support, with Rep. Mike Collins and Insurance Commissioner John King trailing slightly behind. Following Gov. Brian Kemp&#8217;s decision not to run, the GOP is looking for strong candidates, but no major names have officially entered the race yet.Raffensperger has hinted at his interest in running but has not made a formal declaration. Other candidates, including former Senator Kelly Loeffler, are also mentioned, but Raffensperger remains a key figure in a race deemed competitive by analysts. The outcome could have significant implications for Republican efforts to regain a Senate seat in a state that recently flipped to Democratic control.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Raffensperger tops Republican contenders for Georgia Senate race after Kemp bows out: Poll<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2128555\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/georgia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Georgia<\/a> Secretary of State <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/brad-raffensperger\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Brad Raffensperger<\/a> is the strongest 2026 Republican Senate candidate to challenge Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) in Georgia, <a href=\"https:\/\/acrobat.adobe.com\/id\/urn:aaid:sc:US:90ddd7f9-bdbc-46ef-aeb2-c5a88db84a3d?viewer%21megaVerb=group-discover\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">a poll showed<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Raffensperger tied&nbsp;Ossoff&nbsp;with about 44% support in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pres-george-w-bush-gives-actor-matthew-mcconaughey-advice-for-running-for-texas-governor\/\" title=\"Pres. George W. Bush gives actor Matthew McConaughey advice for running for Texas ...ernor\">hypothetical race<\/a> from a poll by Republican-leaning Cygnal. Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) and Insurance Commissioner John King came in at 43.3% support and 42.1% against Ossoff, respectively.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3419541\/pelosi-endorses-haley-stevens-in-michigan-senate-race\/\">Pelosi endorses Haley Stevens in Michigan Senate race<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3419357\/new-york-republicans-salt-take-credit-deduction\/\">New York Republicans scramble to take credit for SALT deduction<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3418408\/gerry-connolly-dies-reignites-democratic-debate-age\/\">Gerry Connolly&#8217;s death reignites Democratic debate over age<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) ruled out running for the Senate earlier this month, sending Republicans scrambling to find a blue-chip candidate to replace him. Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene (R-GA) was briefly rumored to want to run, but she <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3412685\/mtg-senate-run-jon-ossoff-trump-team-georgia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">ended the speculation quickly<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Now, the state has no GOP candidates with definitive statewide recognition in the Senate race. Only Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), who clocked in at 42.1% support, King, and a <a href=\"https:\/\/joinouramerica.org\/stories\/reagan-box\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">horse trainer<\/a> have declared their campaigns.<\/p>\n<p>Raffensperger has not let his intentions for the Senate race be known, but he has hinted at his plans. He told 11Alive in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.11alive.com\/article\/news\/politics\/the-georgia-vote\/georgia-secretary-brad-raffensperger-teases-2026-campaign\/85-7e8f1370-147a-4136-9206-25ad37a5692d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">April interview <\/a>that he hoped the Republican Party put forward &ldquo;a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >true conservative&#038;rdquo<\/a>; for the 2026 races, and when asked what that looks like, he said, &ldquo;I think you&rsquo;re looking at him.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>He said he &ldquo;could be&rdquo; running but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-continuous-media-covid-fear-mongering-may-backfire-and-diminish-democrat-voter-turnout\/\" title=\"The Continuous Media COVID Fear Mongering May BACKFIRE and Diminish Democrat Voter Turnout\">won&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t announce his plans for &ldquo;a few months.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Other candidates, such as Small Business Administrator and former short-term Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who received 42.8% support in the poll, have been floated.<\/p>\n<p>But Ossoff beat all of them in the poll, except for Raffensperger, who edged him out in a virtual tie by 0.2%. The poll indicated that there&rsquo;s still Republican support left, though. In a generic ballot, 48.2% of voters said they would vote for the GOP while 44.5% said they would vote for the Democratic candidate.<\/p>\n<p>Raffensperger is similar to Kemp in that he&rsquo;s shown a capability to push back against President Donald Trump, which could attract Democratic or centrist Republican voters in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/update-corrupted-software-that-stole-6000-votes-from-trump-in-michigan-county-shut-down-for-two-hours-in-red-counties-in-georgia-on-election-day\/\" title=\"Update: Corrupted Software that Stole 6,000 Votes From Trump in Michigan County -- Shut Down for TWO HOURS in Red Counties in ... on Election Day\">swing state<\/a> but could also alienate core Trump voters. After he denied Trump&rsquo;s request to help him &ldquo;find&rdquo; votes in the state following the 2020 election, the president slammed him repeatedly.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3419357\/new-york-republicans-salt-take-credit-deduction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">NEW YORK REPUBLICANS SCRAMBLE TO TAKE CREDIT FOR SALT DEDUCTION<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Republicans have been trying to recapture Ossoff&rsquo;s seat since Democrats flipped it in a 2021 runoff election. The GOP then also lost its other Senate seat in the state, held by Loeffler, to Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) in a special election before he captured it for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rnc-chair-condemns-biden-abortion-policy\/\" title=\"RNC chair condemns Biden abortion policy\">full term<\/a> in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>The Cook Political Report rates Ossoff&rsquo;s seat as a &ldquo;toss-up&rdquo; in 2026. If Republicans capture it, they will likely retain control of the Senate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2128555\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2128555\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Poll: Raffensperger leads GOP candidates for Georgia Senate race<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2437990,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Raffensperger.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[47333,50691,53568,6137,55723],"class_list":["post-2437989","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-georgia-senate-race","tag-kemp-2","tag-political-poll","tag-raffensperger","tag-republican-contenders"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Raffensperger.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2437989","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2437989"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2437989\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2437993,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2437989\/revisions\/2437993"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2437990"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2437989"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2437989"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2437989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}