Whatever will he talk about?

Senate Majority Leader John Thune extensively lobbied Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in 2025 to run for the U.S. Senate to challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff. Despite being the GOP's top recruit, Kemp ultimately declined to run, forcing the party into a highly competitive primary.

The push from national Republicans—including Senate Majority Leader Thune and Sen. Tim Scott—was rooted in the belief that Kemp was the strongest candidate to flip the Georgia seat in the 2026 midterms. However, Kemp chose to pass on the race.

Kemp's decision scrambled the GOP primary field. With no clear frontrunner backed by party leadership, the race devolved into a bitter and expensive internal Republican battle featuring candidates who are forced to navigate competing for the party's nomination.