Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King announced on Monday that he will run in the 2026 race to challenge Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff. King stated, “President Trump needs reinforcements and Georgia needs a new senator.”
King’s announcement follows U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s decision to not run for Senate and comes a week after Georgia Governor Brian Kemp made the same choice. U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, a Republican from coastal Georgia, launched his Senate campaign after Kemp’s announcement.
Several other GOP figures are also considering the race, including U.S. Reps. Mike Collins and Rich McCormick, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, state Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, and state Sen. Greg Dolezal.
King, 61, highlighted his background in his campaign announcement, including his birth in Mexico, his rise to major general in the Georgia National Guard, and his work as a police officer with the Atlanta Police Department and Doraville Police Department.
He shared, “I’ve never shied away from a fight, but what truly scares me today is having Jon Ossoff for six more years.” King emphasized his support for President Trump, saying, “He needs help, and I’m asking for your support to go help President Trump and solve these incredibly big problems.”
King also shared personal experiences, including being stabbed and shot while working as an Atlanta police officer. He was part of the Atlanta Police Department’s controversial Red Dog unit, known for its tough tactics.
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White HouseKing’s time in the National Guard helped him gain the attention of Governor Kemp. Although he had no prior elected office experience, Kemp chose King to fill the vacancy for Insurance Commissioner in 2019 after Jim Beck’s indictment and suspension. Kemp eventually appointed King permanently after Beck’s conviction in 2022, making King the first Hispanic person elected to a statewide office in Georgia.
Kemp has worked to diversify the traditionally white and male Republican leadership, and King, who is fluent in Spanish, often spoke on behalf of Kemp during the pandemic in both English and Spanish. King was also instrumental in Kemp’s push to limit civil lawsuit verdicts and has become a frequent speaker at political events.
However, King, like other Senate hopefuls, remains relatively unknown to the broader electorate. He will also need to demonstrate his ability to raise the substantial funds required for a Senate campaign. King raised $1 million during his 2022 reelection campaign, but it will likely take much more for a competitive Republican primary, as the 2026 Senate race is expected to cost hundreds of millions. Ossoff raised over $11 million just in the first quarter of 2025.
