Monday, U.S. Representative Lucy McBath announced she would pause her exploratory mission to run for Georgia governor due to the cancer treatment currently underway for her husband, Curtis McBath.
“I’m so grateful for everyone who has stood by my family as we undergo this arduous period,” McBath said in a statement, according to The Associated Press. “I will be spending some time focusing on my husband’s health, and I cannot make a decision to run for governor or not at this moment.”
McBath currently represents Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District in the 119th Congress. She told McBath told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that it was a “really difficult decision to make.”
“His road to ultimate health is going to be a little longer and more difficult than we thought,” she said. “Right now, I have to organically look at everything and make sure I’m where I’m most needed.”
Other Possible Gubernatorial Candidates
Meanwhile, the 60th Mayor of Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms, announced her intentions to explore a bid earlier this year. Two-time Democratic Party gubernatorial nominee, Stacey Abrams, has not ruled out a possibility of running for Governor in 2026. Also, Georgia State Senator Jason Esteves and former DeKalb County Commissioner Michael Thurmond are considering running for the State’s top office.
On the Republican side, it was widely considered Lt. Governor Burt Jones is the established front-runner. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr raised more than $2 million to get his bid off the ground. The current Georgia Governor, Brian Kemp, is term-limited and will not seek re-election. But, there are rumors swirling around Kemp regarding his political future. Some in Georgia’s Republican quarters say he may challenge U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff for his seat in 2026. Others predict he will run for President of the United States in 2028.
What is the next move?
If McBath ultimately runs for Governor, Georgia State Senator Sonya Halpern announced her intentions to run for McBath’s seat in Congress. Also, former Georgia State Representative William Boddie and two-time Democratic Congressional candidate Marcus Flowers intends to run for the seat.
McBath was first elected to Congress in 2018 after defeating Karen Handel. At that time, Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District was the home of Newt Gingrich and the late Johnny Isakson. McBath survived multiple redistricting fights by the Georgia GOP in order to draw her out of Congress. One year ago, rumors abounded regarding McBath running for Governor. At that time, McBath remained coy. She told reporters she was focused on retaining her seat in Congress.