Georgia — one of the original thirteen colonies and, long before that, home to Indigenous nations including the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and the Lower Muscogee Creek Tribe — has been shaped by a complex and consequential past.
The state’s history spans the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, and a political lineage that includes 83 official governors. Republicans have held the governor’s office for many years, with Roy Barnes serving as the most recent Democratic governor, elected in 1999.
Sixteen candidates are vying to become Georgia’s next chief executive. The state’s primary is set for May 19, and the general election will follow on Nov. 3, 2026. As part of the “Their Voice, Your Vote” gubernatorial candidate series, “Closer Look” has invited all candidates to participate in one‑on‑one interviews.
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