AJC Endorses McKoon, Signals GOP Strategy Shift for 2026

The Atlanta Jour­nal-Con­sti­tu­tion endors­es Josh McK­oon as the best Repub­li­can chair to chal­lenge Jon Ossoff in the 2026 Sen­ate race, with polls show­ing Gov­er­nor Bri­an Kemp as the only Repub­li­can able to win statewide. Mar­jorie Tay­lor Greene is deemed une­lec­table, and her lead­ing the tick­et could harm the GOP. Brad Raf­fensperg­er atop the tick­et risks alien­at­ing MAGA vot­ers, impact­ing down-bal­lot races. John King won’t be ele­vat­ed to the Sen­ate. The GOP plans to “drain the swamp” by June 2026 to secure vic­to­ries and set the stage for JD Vance in 2028. Raf­fensperg­er aligns close­ly with Kemp, cam­paign­ing active­ly, while Steve Gooch and Greg Dolezal seek Lieu­tenant Gov­er­nor endorse­ments in D.C.

• The AJC endorsed Josh McK­oon because he is the best choice for Ossoff to win. Bri­an Kemp is the only repub­li­can that can win against Ossoff accord­ing to the AJC poll. The Sen­ate is the top of the tick­et. MTG can­not win a statewide race. IF MTG is at the top of the tick­et they have a prob­lem. John King is not going to be ele­vat­ed to the Sen­ate. If Brad is at the top we have a prob­lem with MAGA down tick­et. 
• We have to drain the swamp in June to be able to win in 2026 and lay the ground­work for the pres­i­den­tial elec­tion in 2028 for JD Vance. 
• Brad Raf­fensperg­er has been stand­ing behind Kemp at ever bill he signs. He is going to the cham­bers and rotary clubs. He is in Catoosa coun­ty. \
• Repub­li­can state sen­a­tor Steve Gooch was in DC being inter­viewed for a pos­si­ble endorse­ment for Lt Gov­er­nor. Greg Dolezal went Wednes­day for the endorse­ment for Lt Gov­er­nor