Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, a Republican who broke with President Donald Trump earlier than campaigning extensively for former Vice President Kamala Harris final 12 months, introduced on Tuesday he’s working for the state’s governorship as a Democrat.
Duncan, who should compete in an more and more crowded Democratic main, is pitching himself as an eminently electable candidate with expertise battling Trump. However he’s nearly sure to come back below fireplace for the conservative views he held throughout a decade as a GOP officeholder.
Democrats haven’t received the Georgia governorship this century, however are hopeful about their probabilities in a positive midterm political surroundings in a swing state Trump received by a bit greater than two share factors in 2024. A victory can be a breakthrough for the occasion in a state the place they’ve made main good points, together with electing Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, however have been locked out of energy on the state degree.
“I’ve by no means wavered in taking over Trump,” Duncan says in his launch video. “So Georgia Republicans threw me out of their occasion. I used to be leaving anyway. Now I’m working for governor as a proud Democrat to give attention to what issues most to Georgians.”
Whereas Duncan’s electoral historical past and willingness to battle Trump over the 2020 election outcomes are prone to endear him to main voters, many positions he held as state legislator and lieutenant governor might be difficult to clarify. He described himself as “100% pro-life” in 2018, initially ran for lieutenant governor as a Trump supporter and voted to dam Medicaid enlargement in 2014.
Duncan is now working as a supporter of increasing Medicaid within the state. He’s mentioned changing into a Democrat has made it simpler to “love my neighbor” in an op-ed the place he additionally endorsed “significant gun laws” and prompt utilizing the state’s wet day fund to cut back youngster starvation.
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond and former state Sen. Jason Esteves are additionally working within the Democratic main, and progressive state Rep. Ruwa Romman has mentioned she is contemplating a bid.
On the Republican facet, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is working with Trump’s endorsement, making him a heavy favourite, although Lawyer Basic Chris Carr can be within the race, and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is contemplating a bid. Incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp is term-limited.
