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 long, complex and consequential history.
The state’s political story spans the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, and a lineage of 83 official governors. Republicans have held the governor’s office for many years; Roy Barnes, elected in 1999, was the most recent Democrat to serve in the role.
Sixteen candidates are now competing to become Georgia’s next chief executive. The state’s primary is scheduled for May 19, with the general election set for 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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