Brian Kemp

Key Points

Georgia’s future is on the ballot in 2026 as voters elect a new governor to lead the state for the next four years. In the May 19th primary elections, Georgians picked candidates to represent each political party. They’ll choose the final winner in the general election on November 3.
The governor influences major issues that affect Georgians every day, like taxes, education, health care, work opportunities, and public safety.
Understanding the governor’s role can help voters cast their ballots for a candidate who can bring even more hope, well-being, and prosperity to people and communities across the state..

When Georgians vote for governor, they’re choosing more than a public figure. They’re electing the leader who sets the direction for everything from schools and public safety to taxes and the economy.

While the governor can’t create laws like the legislature does, they shape daily life by deciding how the state will spend money, what bills get signed, and how certain public programs for families will operate.

Quick Facts About Georgia’s Governor

Current Governor: Brian Kemp
Next Election Date: November 3, 2026, for the general election
Term Length: Four years, with a maximum of two back-to-back terms
Minimum Age Requirement: 30 years old by Inauguration Day
Counties the Governor Serves: 159
State Budget the Governor Oversees: $36.6 billion

How Does the Governor Impact Everyday Lives in Georgia?

1. The governor can sign—or stop—new laws.

After a bill passes in Georgia’s House and Senate, it goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature.

If the governor vetoes a bill, Georgia’s legislators can override that action, but only with a two-thirds majority in both chambers. To avoid a veto, lawmakers usually aim to pass legislation that reflects the governor’s policy priorities.

In 2026, Georgia’s legislature passed bills that created pathways for kids to take advanced math classes in earlier grades and to improve their reading skills. The bills aligned with Governor Kemp’s goal of increasing opportunities for Georgia students, and he signed them into law right after the legislative session ended.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signs 2026 bills to support literacy, math education, and K-12 public schools.

On May 5, 2026, Governor Brian Kemp signed nine bills to support reading, math education, and K-12 schools in Georgia.
Photo Credit: Office of the Governor Photo Gallery.

2. The governor helps decide where the money goes.

Every year, Georgia’s governor proposes a state budget that outlines how taxpayer dollars should be spent. Because the budget reflects the programs and services that will receive funding, it reveals the governor’s top priorities for the state.

The legislature revises and passes the budget, but the governor still has a final influential role. Before signing the budget into law, the governor can use a line-item veto to remove parts of the budget they don’t agree with while leaving the rest as is.

In May 2026, Governor Kemp signed House Bill 974, the state budget bill for the fiscal year starting July 1. The $36.6 billion budget directs most funding toward education, health care services, public safety, and economic growth—a clear signal of what the governor cares about. Before signing, Governor Kemp used his line-item veto authority, removing some expenses to keep the budget in balance after approving income tax cuts.

3. The governor chooses the leaders behind key family services.

Government policies aren’t implemented in one big speech or one dramatic vote. Instead, they’re carried out every day by state agencies, boards, and commissions.

The governor appoints many of the heads of those administrative offices. They oversee daily operations in workforce development, child and family services, public safety, licensing, education administration, and programs that help low-income Georgians.

The governor steers welfare (safety net) policies, for example, by appointing the members of the Board of Human Services. The members establish the state’s goals for welfare programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

4. The governor sets the policy agenda.

The governor has a powerful microphone: the annual “State of the State” address. At the beginning of the legislative session, the governor uses this speech to outline their priorities and encourage lawmakers to act on specific policies.

And when the governor elevates an issue—whether it’s education, workforce development, public safety, or taxes—it usually moves quickly from a policy idea to serious legislative action.

In his 2026 State of the State address, Governor Kemp proposed decreasing the state income tax to 4.99% to help Georgians keep more of what they earn. The legislature followed up by passing House Bill 463, which the governor signed into law.

5. The governor leads during emergencies.

The governor uses executive orders and emergency powers to quickly mobilize state resources when storms, wildfires, public safety threats, or other emergencies hit.

In April 2026, Governor Kemp declared a state of emergency for 91 counties in response to South Georgia wildfires and empowered state agencies to help affected residents and their families.

FAQs: The Georgia Governor’s Race in 2026 and the Election Process

How Is Georgia’s Governor Elected?

Georgians elect their governor through a direct popular vote. Unlike presidential elections, there isn’t an electoral college that casts deciding votes.

During primary elections, voters pick final candidates from each political party. Contenders have to earn at least 50% of the votes in the primary to win, so run-off elections are possible.

The same requirement applies in the general election. If no candidate earns more than half the votes, the top two competitors head to a run-off.

Who Can Run for Governor?

A candidate must:

Be at least 30 years old by the time they take office
Have lived in Georgia for at least six years before the election
Have been a U.S. citizen for at least 15 years

How Long Can a Governor Serve?

Georgia governors have four-year terms and can serve up to two back-to-back terms. Former governors can run again after sitting out for at least one term.

What Happens if a Governor Leaves Office Early?

The lieutenant governor is next in line for the job and serves until the next general election.

Which Political Parties Have Georgia’s Governors Belonged to Historically?

Georgians have elected Republican governors since 2003. Before then, Democratic governors had held the office continuously since 1872.

Timeline of political party affiliations of past Georgia governors from 1971 to 2026.

Source: Former Governors in Georgia, National Governors Association

What Issues Are Candidates Talking About in 2026?

The rising cost of living is one of the biggest concerns for Georgia families—and it’s become a major focus in the 2026 governor’s race. Key affordability issues include:

Income Taxes: Some candidates are proposing plans to further reduce or eliminate the state income tax so Georgians can keep more money in their own pockets.
Property Taxes: As housing costs continue to rise, contenders are thinking about freezing property taxes or increasing exemptions to ease the burden on homeowners.
Housing Shortages: Candidates are debating how much the state should get involved in local land-use regulations to spur construction of more homes, especially those at lower prices.
Health Care: Gubernatorial hopefuls are proposing options to address Georgians’ health care concerns, including expanding Medicaid and reducing the cost of health insurance.

Beyond affordability, candidates are focusing on several other issues affecting families and communities across Georgia:

Welfare Reform: Contenders are thinking about how to lead the state in making big changes to welfare programs, including:

Implementing new work requirements for Medicaid and enforcing the ones for SNAP
Reducing Georgia’s percentage of incorrect SNAP payments to avoid federal penalties
Introducing a One Door to Work strategy to integrate welfare and workforce systems and offer program participants a clearer route to rewarding jobs and long-term stability

Education: To give Georgia’s children better pathways to academic success, candidates are debating on more school choice vouchers, increased public school funding, and new early childhood education options.

Public Safety: Competitors are prioritizing safety and security for Georgia communities by looking at ways to tackle gang activity, reform the juvenile justice system, and reduce repeat offenses.

Why Does Understanding the Governor’s Role Matter?

Candidates know that more needs to be done to break down the economic and social barriers so many people are facing, and they’re making plans to take action if elected. But policymakers aren’t the only ones responsible.

Understanding the governor’s vital role and what they’ll do to meet the daily needs of Georgia families and neighborhoods can help voters guide meaningful change. By casting their ballots, Georgians can bring even more promise and prosperity to the state—making it a place where everyone has the chance to achieve their full potential and thrive.

Additional Resources

2026 Polls: Georgia Governor
270 to Win

Keeping Vulnerable Americans on Track: One Door out of Poverty and into Opportunity
Alliance for Opportunity

What States Can Expect with the New SNAP Match: Options to Reduce State Error Rates
Alliance for Opportunity

Georgia Candidates for Governor Should Make Welfare Reform a Top Priority
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia Gubernatorial Election, 2026
Ballotpedia

Governor of Georgia
Ballotpedia

Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
Ballotpedia

Georgia 2026 Election: Here’s Who Will Be on the Ballot During May’s Governor, Senate Primaries
CBS News

Understanding Welfare Work Requirements: New Eligibility Rules for SNAP and Medicaid
Georgia Center for Opportunity

Organization of the Executive Branch
Georgia Public Broadcasting

What Does a Governor Do?
Georgia Public Broadcasting

Short Supply: How Many More Homes Does Georgia Need?
Georgia Public Policy Foundation

10 Races for Governor to Watch in 2026
NBC News

Governor’s Office
State of Georgia

Lieutenant Governor’s Office
State of Georgia

The Three Branches of Georgia’s State Government
State of Georgia

Image Credits: Canva; Governor’s Photographer, Georgia Office of the Governor

Key Points

The Georgia General Assembly has passed a bill that will lay the groundwork for improving literacy rates among the state’s students.
Major measures in the bill include requiring literacy coaches in schools, making kindergarten mandatory, assessing students’ reading skills more often, and expanding the use of curriculums based on the science of reading.
By becoming stronger readers, Georgia’s students will be more successful in school and better prepared for rewarding work, financial stability, and meaningful community engagement as adults.

The Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026 (House Bill 1193) is poised to make a powerful impact on students across the state. Legislators drafted the bill to help increase literacy rates among young Georgians and prepare them for higher levels of learning and greater success in life.

Georgia’s literacy statistics are undeniably troubling—62% of the state’s third graders aren’t reading proficiently. Georgia’s proficiency percentage is just slightly above the average reading level in the United States. The Nation’s Report Card, which tracks how well students across the country are reading in fourth grade, recently showed that 69% of American fourth graders aren’t reading proficiently. And proficiency is a key indicator of children’s progress and readiness for more advanced work.

Third grade also marks a critical point in a student’s academic development. Between third and fourth grade, children should be transitioning from learning to read to using reading to learn. If students fall behind in reading during this crucial period, they can start to have a hard time in other school subjects, too. This struggle often takes a big toll on children as they grow up, and it can limit economic opportunities later on.

But with support from organizations like the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO), state legislators are paving the way for children to overcome challenges with literacy. This will empower them to thrive in their academic development and build flourishing lives for themselves and their families in the future.

“GCO applauds the state’s General Assembly for passing the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026. This important legislation helps Georgia make sure that students read proficiently so they can excel in school and reach their full potential in life.”

Buzz Brockway, Vice President of Policy, Georgia Center for Opportunity

What Are the Core Requirements in This Bill?

Policymakers have included several key measures in the new literacy bill to help the youngest Georgians become skilled readers.

Literacy Coaches in Every School: All schools that serve students in kindergarten through third grade will be required to hire literacy coaches—educators with expertise in teaching reading. The coaches will support teachers through lesson planning, co-teaching, and mentoring.
Mandatory Kindergarten Enrollment: Students will be required to attend kindergarten before starting first grade (exemptions are possible if students pass the assessment described below). The bill will also encourage families to enroll their children in school or establish a home study program beginning at age 5. These measures should strengthen children’s foundational reading skills early on.
First Grade Readiness Assessments: Schools will test students before they start first grade to make sure they’re academically prepared. If a kindergartener isn’t reading on grade level, the school will design a plan to help them.

Expanded Use of Science of Reading Curriculums: Schools will continue to expand the use of materials grounded in the science of reading, a field of research that focuses on how students develop reading skills. Teachers will no longer be able to use the older three-cueing system, which encourages students to guess words.

Have Other States Passed Similar Laws?

Yes. Mississippi, in particular, has set the standard for effective literacy legislation. Recent reforms in that state include:

Placing literacy coaches in the lowest-performing schools to guide reading teachers
Regularly screening students in grades K-3 for challenges with reading and creating plans to help children who are struggling
Requiring third graders to demonstrate reading proficiency before starting fourth grade
Training teachers to shift to an approach based on the science of reading

As a result of the strong focus on literacy, Mississippi’s fourth grade reading proficiency scores went from 49th place in the nation in 2013 to ninth place in 2024. Georgia and many other states have taken notice of this significant improvement and have modeled legislation after Mississippi’s laws.

When Will the New Requirements Take Effect?

Governor Brian Kemp is expected to sign the Georgia Early Literacy Act once the 2026 legislative session ends. After it becomes law:

Schools will likely have literacy coaches on staff by the 2028-2029 school year.
Mandatory kindergarten enrollment and enhanced readiness assessments will go into effect for the 2027-2028 school year.
Every K-3 classroom will use only state-approved materials aligned with the science of reading by July 1, 2027.

What Is the Science of Reading

The science of reading is a field of research focused on how the brain learns to read and how to teach reading. It promotes proven practices that support students of all abilities. These practices involve several essential elements:

Phonemic Awareness: the ability to hear and identify individual sounds in spoken words
Phonics: the relationship between letters and the sounds they represent
Fluency: the ability to read texts smoothly, accurately, and with the right expression
Vocabulary: an understanding of what words mean and how to say and use them correctly
Comprehension: the ability to understand, interpret, and analyze texts

What’s the Difference Between Reading on Grade Level and Reading Proficiently?

People often use these two phrases interchangeably, but they actually mean different things.

Reading on Grade Level: A student who reads on grade level can figure out words and follow a basic plot, but they might still struggle to analyze more complex texts. This is the minimum expected skill level for a child in a specific grade.
Reading Proficiently: A proficient reader has a higher-level skill set, including the ability to analyze more challenging material and to think critically about it. Reading proficiently makes it easier for students to use reading for learning as they develop academically.

This difference is important for understanding literacy rates in Georgia. The state’s Department of Education reports that 65% of third grade students are reading at or above grade level, but the Georgia Council on Literacy has shown that only 38% of the state’s third grade students are reading proficiently.

How Can Increasing Reading Proficiency Open Doors to Opportunity?

The state legislature passed the Georgia Early Literacy Act in March of 2026 with unanimous bipartisan support. The strong approval of the bill confirms that Georgia’s policymakers have made literacy a priority.

This attention to literacy will make a meaningful difference for many Georgians. Research has shown that children who aren’t proficient in reading by third grade are four times as likely to drop out of school before getting their high school diploma. And without that degree, access to higher levels of education, fulfilling jobs, and economic opportunities is more limited. For students who come from vulnerable families, struggles with reading can also make it harder to escape poverty.

Through the Literacy Act, Georgia legislators aim to remove barriers for children and encourage them to follow brighter paths to promising futures. By becoming stronger readers, Georgia’s students will be more successful in school. They’ll also learn to think more critically about the world around them. Their advanced skills will then lead young people toward more rewarding work and economic mobility as adults, and they’ll be able to positively impact their communities. The bill has the power to make all this possible, with literacy as the key that unlocks the door to these life-changing opportunities.

Additional Resources

Literacy Bill, Cellphone Ban Among Education Bills Approved by Georgia House

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

With End of Session Near, Georgia Lawmakers Tackle Childhood Literacy

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Assessing the Economic Gains of Eradicating Illiteracy Nationally and Regionally in the United States

Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy

Your Home for GA Dyslexia Resources

Decoding Dyslexia GA

The State of Literacy in Georgia

Deloitte

Family Resources: Supporting Your Child’s Reading Development

Georgia Department of Education

The Incredible Importance of Teaching Children to Read

Georgia Municipal Association

Lawmakers Push Plan to Lift Georgia’s Lagging Literacy Rates

Georgia Recorder

Student Literacy Overhaul Poised for Georgia Governor’s Signature After Compromise

Georgia Recorder

How Education Impacts Chicago Poverty

Illinois Policy Institute

10 Ways to Support Your Child’s Literacy at Home

National Center on Improving Literacy

Unemployment Rates for People 25 Years and Older by Educational Attainment

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Top 2026 issues for Georgia lawmakers and citizens include welfare, cost of living, education, and crime.

Key Points

In 2026, Georgia voters will elect key political leaders who will have the ability to remove barriers and open doors to better futures for the state’s residents.
Top concerns for both lawmakers and citizens include welfare reform, the cost of living, educational opportunities, and public safety.
Proposed policies and reforms will help lift many Georgians above the poverty line and provide clearer pathways to upward mobility and thriving communities.

Opportunities to drive progress and hope will greet Georgians in 2026. Critical issues will dominate the legislative agenda, and top governmental positions will be up for election.

The well-being of many Georgians, their families, and their communities is at stake as pressing concerns like welfare reform, the cost of living, educational opportunities, and public safety take center stage in political discussions. These issues involve significant challenges, but policymakers are working to find promising solutions that will enable people across the state to flourish.

Electing leaders to fill key political offices

Georgians will elect new officials for the state’s top posts in 2026. The primary election will take place on May 19, and the general election is scheduled for November 3.

The roles of both the governor and lieutenant governor will be on the ballot. Georgia’s current governor, Brian Kemp, isn’t eligible to run again because he’s reached his term limit, so several candidates are competing for the position, including Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones.

Georgians will also vote on one of the state’s U.S. senatorial positions—Senator Jon Ossoff currently holds the post. All of Georgia’s seats in the U.S. House of Representatives will be up for election as well.

These political races are pivotal because the elected officials will have the power to remove barriers and open more doors to opportunity for the state’s residents.

Reforming Georgia’s public assistance programs and creating a pathway out of poverty

The candidates running for office will likely take positions on ways to reform government assistance (welfare or safety net) programs in Georgia. This should be a top priority because about 13.5% of the state’s population is currently living in poverty.

One of the main concerns about the welfare system is that it isn’t helping to lift people above the poverty line or empowering them to become self-sufficient. Instead, the complexities and regulations in the system tend to trap people in long-term cycles of poverty that affect families for generations.

To make real change, Georgia’s top lawmakers need to focus on streamlining the state’s welfare system and integrating it with workforce development programs. This strategy, called the One Door model, connects recipients of government benefits with one caseworker who not only helps them meet their immediate needs but also provides resources to support them in finding a rewarding job.

In Georgia, around 28% of prime-age (25-54) adults aren’t working, and disengagement from work is one of the primary reasons people seek public assistance. Developing a One Door strategy in Georgia will help these individuals become self-sufficient and also enable them to experience the sense of dignity and purpose meaningful work provides.

Georgia’s political leaders can take steps toward implementing a One Door model by advocating for federal authorization to do so. At the state level, they can also establish a task force to explore ways to connect and improve Georgia’s public assistance and workforce programs.

A reform called the One Door model would allow Georgia to connect more welfare recipients to meaningful work and economic opportunity.

Making life more affordable in Georgia

Many low- and middle-income families in Georgia are struggling to cover the basic costs of living, as prices for just about everything seem to be rising. The increasing costs add extra hardship to the numerous barriers that already impact people’s well-being. But Georgia’s policymakers have opportunities to make some things more affordable for the state’s residents.

Housing shortages and costs: At least 94 of Georgia’s 159 counties don’t have enough housing for their residents. The shortage is driving up prices and making affordable homes hard to come by. Builders want to construct more houses, but they face restrictive regulations regarding land use and infrastructure, including roads and water lines. Local policymakers can address the issue by allowing greater flexibility in lot sizes and housing types. Doing so will bring more affordable homes to the market, and that will reduce rent and mortgage payments and free up income to cover other necessities.

State income taxes: Georgia’s state income tax is set to drop to 4.99% in January 2027, but some lawmakers want to eliminate it completely. For many Georgians, every dollar matters, and doing away with the tax would allow them to keep more of their income in their own pockets. State leaders are considering eliminating corporate tax breaks to offset the potential loss in government revenue from income taxes. But it’s important to note that they could also raise the sales tax to recoup the state’s lost revenue. That could leave lower-income families worse off because essential goods would cost them more.

Creating an educational system that meets the needs of every child

In 2026, Georgia lawmakers will continue their efforts to develop an educational system that honors every child’s unique situation and needs.

Several education-related bills that carried over from 2025 will likely be up for consideration in the Georgia General Assembly.

Senate Bills 124 and 152: These bills will expand eligibility for Promise Scholarship accounts to students with a parent who’s an active-duty military service member stationed in Georgia and to biological or adopted children of foster parents. The bills will help support more families who want to consider alternative education options for their children

Senate Bill 171: This bill will require Georgia’s Board of Education to develop an advanced math pathway for students in grades 3-8. The program will prepare students to take higher-level math classes in middle school and ultimately to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The opportunity will pave the way to brighter futures and upward mobility for participating students, and particularly for young African Americans, Hispanics, and girls who haven’t traditionally received significant STEM education.

House Bill 917: This bill will provide open enrollment processes for students who want to transfer between local school systems or from one school to another within a school system. This will enable students to attend the school that’s the right fit for them, regardless of where they live.

Charter school funding will also be on policymakers’ radar. In 2025, the Georgia Senate created the Study Committee on Funding for Charter School Capital Improvements. The committee was tasked with reviewing current funding processes for public schools, examining the differences in capital funding between charter and public schools, and analyzing the challenges charter schools face in getting funding. Georgia’s leaders will likely use the study’s findings to make sure charter schools have equal access to capital improvement funds so they can continue to offer alternate educational options for families.

Prioritizing neighborhood safety and reducing crime

Public safety is a top concern for Georgians, and especially for those living in impoverished communities. High crime rates lead to losses in property value, community resources, business activity, and job opportunities—all making it increasingly difficult for people to escape poverty.

Among several public safety bills, Georgia lawmakers will likely consider two that were drafted during the 2025 session.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for juveniles: The first bill will enable greater use of CBT with young people who get arrested, even those who are non-violent or have minor convictions. CBT teaches participants to look at the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and helps them respond to challenging situations more effectively. Studies show that CBT programs can reduce recidivism by an impactful 25%. They also set participants on a path toward healing and growth, which will, in turn, help their communities flourish.

Support for local law enforcement agencies: The second bill will create grants for local law enforcement agencies to assist them in solving more violent crimes. Local departments can use the funds to improve investigations, enhance the technology and data systems officers use, and support victims and families. The resources will also help authorities deter future crime and boost community safety and resiliency.

Taking action to transform lives and communities

Georgia’s policymakers know that more needs to be done to break down the social and economic barriers so many people are facing, and they’re taking action. But this responsibility doesn’t lie with government leaders alone.

Georgia residents should pay close attention to the issues lawmakers discuss, but also to the needs of their families and communities. They can then use what they learn, along with their voices and votes, to create real change.

In doing so, Georgians will bring even greater promise and prosperity to the state—making it a place where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential and thrive.

Additional resources

Alliance for Opportunity applauds introduction of the House “One Door to Work” Act

Alliance for Opportunity

How do we know the One Door model works?

Alliance for Opportunity

Georgia candidates for governor should make welfare reform a top priority

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia lawmakers explore plan to eliminate state income tax

CBS News

A better way to get welfare recipients back into the labor force

City Journal

How Georgia can fix its housing shortage

Dalton Daily Citizen

The Georgia Promise Scholarship (SB 233): questions and answers