Former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan has added his name to the long list of Democrats running for the state’s top spot. Duncan will run for governor as a Democrat after years of being a highly vocal and supportive Republican.
“As Georgia’s first Democratic governor in 28 years, I will stand up to Trump and his yes men in our state while bringing down the costs of childcare, health care, and housing so every Georgia family is in the best position possible. That’s what Georgia deserves,” Duncan said in a statement announcing his campaign that was sent to The Atlanta Voice.
A falling out with the MAGA set led Duncan, 50, to change his political tune. On the Democratic ticket, he will join Georgia State Senator Jason Esteves, Georgia State Representative Derrick Jackson, former DeKalb County CEO and Georgia Labor Secretary Michael Thurmond, and Olu Brown. The latter, a preacher and educator, has no previous political experience.
The four men of color on the list each participated in a gubernatorial forum in Warner Robins last month. Republican candidate Ken Yasger, a former United States Marine who has been vocal about his struggles with alcohol abuse, was also in attendance. Like Brown, Yasger is a political neophyte. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is also campaigning to lead the Democratic ticket next year. Bottoms was not in Warner Robins on August 20, but neither were the Republican gubernatorial candidates, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, and Georgia Lt. Governor Burt Jones. Current Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has publicly endorsed registered Republican Derek Dooley.
Duncan is not new to campaigning in front of Democratic voters. During former United States President Kamala Harris’s historic presidential campaign, Duncan made multiple public endorsements and appearances for her campaign.