Chris Carr (Georgia)
Chris Carr (Republican Party) is the Attorney General of Georgia. He assumed office on November 1, 2016. His current term ends on January 11, 2027.
Carr (Republican Party) is running for election for Governor of Georgia. He is on the ballot in the Republican primary on May 19, 2026.[source]
He was first appointed attorney general on October 12, 2016, by Governor Nathan Deal (R) in order to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Samuel S. Olens (R).[1]
Biography
Chris Carr was born in Michigan. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1995 and a law degree in 1999 from the University of Georgia. After graduating from law school, Carr began working as a private practice attorney in Atlanta, Georgia. He then served as vice president and general counsel for the Georgia Public Policy Foundation before joining the senatorial campaign of Johnny Isakson (R) in 2003 as campaign manager. After Isakson won the 2004 election, Carr served first as his deputy chief of staff and then as chief of staff until 2013, when Governor of Georgia Nathan Deal (R) appointed Carr as the commissioner of the Department of Economic Development. Carr served as a commissioner of the Department of Economic Development from 2013 to 2016.[1][2][3]
2026 battleground election
Ballotpedia identified the May 19 Republican primary as a battleground race. The summary below is from our coverage of this election here
Eight candidates are running in the Republican primary for Georgia governor on May 19, 2026.
Four candidates have led in media attention:
- Chris Carr (R) is the incumbent attorney general and is campaigning on affordability and public safety.[4]
- Rick Jackson (R) is a healthcare executive and is campaigning on his business experience and on passing an income tax cut.[5]
- Burt Jones (R) is the incumbent lieutenant governor and is campaigning on reducing taxes and improving education.[6]
- Brad Raffensperger (R) is the incumbent secretary of state and is campaigning on jobs and lower taxes.[7]
For more information about each candidate's policies, click here.
Cook Political Report with Amy Walter's Matthew Klein wrote, "Ever the swing state, Georgia is gearing up for yet another competitive and expensive gubernatorial contest. And this time, both parties have packed primaries that guarantee plenty of chaos before the general election kicks off in earnest."[8]
The Georgia Political Insight Substack wrote after Jackson's entry that the race "is now one of the most expensive and unpredictable statewide contests in the country."[9] According to official campaign finance reports from the Georgia Ethics Commission, Carr raised $4.9 million, Jones $3.9 million, and Raffensperger $864.2k. Fundraising info for Jackson was not available.[10] Observers have noted that Jackson, Jones, and Raffensperger can self-finance their campaigns, and Jackson and Jones have done so.[5][11] Satellite spending has also been a factor in the race as a group called Georgians for Integrity has spent $14 million in ads opposing Jones' campaign.[12]
Additionally, Carr, Jackson, and Raffensperger have filed lawsuits over a state law that allows Jones, as a specified state officeholder, to use special finance committees to raise unlimited campaign funds. To read more about that, click here.
The Washington Post's Patrick Svitek wrote that Donald Trump's legal challenges to the outcome of the 2020 presidential election had become "a stark dividing line in the Georgia governor’s race, where Republicans [who took differing sides]... are now facing off in a major midterm contest."[13] In the aftermath of the 2020 presidential elections, the candidates who held office at the time took differing stances on Trump's lawsuits. Jones, a state Senator at the time, supported the lawsuits and was an alternate elector for Trump, while Carr and Raffensperger did not support the president's lawsuits.[14][15]
Trump endorsed Jones on August 11, 2025, saying in a Truth Social post, "Burt has proven he has the Courage and Wisdom to deliver strong results for the incredible people of his wonderful State and Nation".[16] The four candidates have spoken about Trump and the 2020 election in different ways. Carr has praised Trump's policies but did not back his lawsuits in 2020, and says his campaign and style were more aligned with Gov. Brian Kemp (R) and former Sen. Johnny Isakson (R).[17][18] Jackson says Trump was his inspiration to run for office, and he has aired ads criticizing Raffensperger over his actions following the 2020 presidential election.[5] Jones says he supports Trump's agenda and also previously supported his lawsuits in 2020.[19] Raffensperger, who did not support the president's lawsuits in 2020, has defended his actions and says his record has been conservative and would align with Trump's objectives.[20][21]
If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, the top two leading candidates will advance to a runoff on June 16, 2026.[22]
Clark Dean (R), Gregg Kirkpatrick (R), Leland Olinger II (R), and Kenneth Yasger (R) are also running.
This page focuses on Georgia's Republican Party gubernatorial primary. For more in-depth information on Georgia's Democratic gubernatorial primary and the general election, see the following pages:
- Georgia gubernatorial election, 2026 (May 19 Democratic primary)
- Georgia gubernatorial election, 2026
Political career
Below is a list of offices within Ballotpedia’s scope. Offices outside of that scope will not be listed. If an update is needed and the office is within our scope, please contact us.
Carr's political career includes the following offices:
- 2016-present: Attorney General of Georgia
Elections
2026
See also: Georgia gubernatorial election, 2026
Georgia gubernatorial election, 2026 (May 19 Republican primary)
Georgia gubernatorial election, 2026 (May 19 Democratic primary)
General election
The primary will occur on May 19, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Georgia
The following candidates are running in the Democratic primary for Governor of Georgia on May 19, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Keisha Bottoms | |
 | Olu Brown | |
| Amanda Duffy | ||
 | Geoff Duncan | |
 | Jason Esteves | |
 | Derrick Jackson | |
 | Michael Thurmond | |
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Ruwa Romman (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Georgia
The following candidates are running in the Republican primary for Governor of Georgia on May 19, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Chris Carr | |
 | Clark Dean | |
 | Rick Jackson | |
 | Burt Jones | |
 | Gregg Kirkpatrick | |
 | Brad Raffensperger | |
| Tom Williams | ||
| Ken Yasger | ||
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2022
See also: Georgia Attorney General election, 2022
General election
General election for Attorney General of Georgia
Incumbent Chris Carr defeated Jen Jordan and Martin Cowen in the general election for Attorney General of Georgia on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Chris Carr (R) | 51.9 | 2,032,500 |
 | Jen Jordan (D) | 46.6 | 1,826,437 | |
 | Martin Cowen (L) | 1.5 | 60,107 | |
| Total votes: 3,919,044 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Attorney General of Georgia
Jen Jordan defeated Christian Wise Smith in the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Georgia on May 24, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jen Jordan | 77.6 | 533,266 |
 | Christian Wise Smith | 22.4 | 153,928 | |
| Total votes: 687,194 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Charlie Bailey (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Attorney General of Georgia
Incumbent Chris Carr defeated John Gordon in the Republican primary for Attorney General of Georgia on May 24, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Chris Carr | 73.7 | 834,383 |
 | John Gordon | 26.3 | 297,037 | |
| Total votes: 1,131,420 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
- See also: Georgia Attorney General election, 2018
General election
General election for Attorney General of Georgia
Incumbent Chris Carr defeated Charlie Bailey in the general election for Attorney General of Georgia on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Chris Carr (R) | 51.3 | 1,981,563 |
 | Charlie Bailey (D) | 48.7 | 1,880,807 | |
| Total votes: 3,862,370 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Attorney General of Georgia
Charlie Bailey advanced from the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Georgia on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Charlie Bailey | 100.0 | 456,105 |
| Total votes: 456,105 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Attorney General of Georgia
Incumbent Chris Carr advanced from the Republican primary for Attorney General of Georgia on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Chris Carr | 100.0 | 475,122 |
| Total votes: 475,122 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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2022
Chris Carr completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Carr's responses.
| Collapse all
As Attorney General, Chris has built a strong, conservative record of prosecuting criminals, keeping the economy open, defending Georgia’s election integrity law, supporting law enforcement, protecting Georgians’ liberties, going after fraud and corruption, and fighting back against the liberal Stacey Abrams-Joe Biden agenda.
I was appointed Attorney General in 2016 by Governor Nathan Deal. In 2018, he was elected statewide to a full, four-year term. I am now seeking reelection in 2022 to another four-year term.
Before becoming Attorney General, I served for three years as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and Georgia was named the No. 1 state in the nation for business all three years I was Commissioner. Prior to that, I served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia for six years.
My wife Joan and I have two daughters, and I am a graduate of the University of Georgia business and law schools.
- I work every day to protect Georgians' lives, livelihoods and liberties. I have created Georgia's first-ever human trafficking prosecution unit that has rescued more than 107 underage victims. Now, we are creating the state's first gang prosecution unit so that the state can help combat the violent gangs that terrorize communities.
- I am working every day to protect livelihoods, because I know the importance of maintaining Georgia’s stable and reliable legal and regulatory environment so that businesses can thrive. I worked to keep Georgia’s economy and schools open during Covid by fighting back against the Biden administration’s vaccine and mask mandates. I also have pushed back on Biden's weakening of our Southern border and on Biden's attempts to shut down the oil and gas industry.
- In protecting Georgians’ liberties, I have fought back against egregious federal overreach from Washington, including Biden’s vaccine mandates and Biden’s demand that the FBI conduct surveillance on parents who challenge their local school boards. I have also fought strenuously to protect Georgians’ 2nd Amendment rights and to protect the unborn through vigorous defense of Georgia’s Heartbeat Bill in court.
Our state's first-ever human trafficking prosecution unit is going after human traffickers and buyers, and rescuing their underage victims. To combat the gang crisis, we are creating the state’s first-ever prosecution unit that will go after gang members committing violent crimes across our state.
The Georgia Constitution states that it is the paramount duty of government to protect person and property. As Attorney General, I am guided by this principle every day because all Georgians need to feel safe and need to know the cavalry is coming to protect them and their families.
I am currently vigorously defending Georgia’s 2021 election reform law against eight legal challenges, including a lawsuit from President Biden’s Department of Justice. Georgia’s law strengthens security, expands access and improves transparency, and I am confident Georgia will prevail against the blatantly political DOJ lawsuit.
Both were principled conservatives and servant leaders who focused on getting results.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Appointments
2016
Governor Nathan Deal (R) appointed Carr as attorney general of Georgia on October 12, 2016.[1]
2013
Governor Nathan Deal (R) appointed Carr as the commissioner of the Department of Economic Development in November 2013.[23]
See also
2026 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Governor of Georgia |
Officeholder Attorney General of Georgia |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 AJC.com, "Breaking: Georgia’s next attorney general is Chris Carr," October 12, 2016
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Chris Carr," accessed October 31, 2016
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 25, 2022
- ↑ The Current GA, "Carr tries to break through in Georgia governor’s race," February 2, 2026
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Associated Press, "Business owner Rick Jackson launches Republican bid for Georgia governor," February 3, 2026
- ↑ Burt Jones 2026 campaign website, "On The Issues," accessed February 4, 2026
- ↑ Brad Raffensperger 2026 campaign website, "Brad's Blueprint for Georgia," accessed February 4, 2025
- ↑ Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, "Packed Georgia Primaries Pave the Way for Another Dramatic Gubernatorial Clash," October 23, 2025
- ↑ Georgia Political Insight, "Billionaire Rick Jackson Shakes Up Georgia Governor’s Race With $50 Million War Chest and Trump Ties," February 5, 2026
- ↑ Georgia Ethics Commission, "Browse Candidate Data," accessed February 11, 2026
- ↑ Capitol Beat, "Campaigns for statewide offices take shape after first major financial filings," July 19, 2025
- ↑ Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Governor’s race: Duncan, Thurmond are first to reveal latest fundraising totals," February 3, 2026
- ↑ Washington Post, "How Trump’s 2020 election falsehoods are shaping a marquee Georgia race," October 2, 2025
- ↑ Washington Examiner, "Investigation into Jones’ actions during 2020 elections closed," September 14, 2024
- ↑ News Channel 9, "Georgia Republican Burt Jones uses legislature to attack his opponent over 2020 election," January 22, 2026
- ↑ Politico, "Trump endorses Lt. Gov. Burt Jones for Georgia governor," August 11, 2025
- ↑ Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Carr’s MAGA gamble: The Republican’s high-stakes strategy to satisfy Trump’s GOP," March 28, 2025
- ↑ Atlanta Journal Constitution, "Chris Carr raises more than $2M over 40 days in quest for Georgia governor," January 22, 2025
- ↑ Fox 5 Atlanta, "Lt. Gov. Burt Jones announces campaign for Georgia governor," July 8, 2025
- ↑ Atlanta Journal Constitution, "Brad Raffensperger on passing the 2020 ‘test’," December 15, 2025
- ↑ WALB, "Raffensperger aims to move past differences with President Trump in governor’s race," September 23, 2025
- ↑ Secretary of State of Georgia, "2026 ELECTION CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS," accessed February 5, 2026
- ↑ Georgia, "Commissioner Chris Carr," accessed October 31, 2016
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Samuel S. Olens (R) |
Attorney General of Georgia 2016-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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