Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) launched his campaign to challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in 2026, making him the first Republican to jump in the battleground race. Carter billed himself as a “MAGA warrior” in his campaign announcement video released on Thursday.

The Georgia Senate race will be one of the most competitive in the 2026 election cycle as a challenger emerges for Democrat Jon Ossoff.

Georgia Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter on Thursday became the first high-profile Republican to announce a challenge to vulnerable Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, formally kicking off what is anticipated to be a highly competitive and expensive race for the seat in 2026.