Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King launched his U.S. Senate bid on Monday, leaning into his credentials in the military and law enforcement while portraying Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) as out of step with the state’s values.
As Georgia’s first Latino to win a statewide election, King is positioning himself as a unifying figure, seeking to connect traditional Republicans with the pro-Trump voters who hold sway in the party’s grassroots.
King, a former Army major general and police chief who immigrated from Mexico as a child, launched his 2026 Senate bid by highlighting his front-line service and urging voters to help send reinforcements to Washington to support President Donald Trump and defeat Ossoff.
“I came to this country as a 17-year-old from Mexico, and I’ve had the privilege to lead your sons and daughters in some incredible places around the world: Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Africa,” King said in an announcement video that was released in English and Spanish. “During President Trump’s first term, I served on the U.S.-Mexico border.”
Following a flurry of shake-ups in Georgia’s Senate contest, King stepped into the spotlight after several high-profile Republicans made their moves. Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA), once a top recruit, bowed out early last week, setting off a wave of decisions. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) confirmed she’s staying put in the House, and Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) entered the race.
Starting his career on the Atlanta police force, King eventually led the Doraville department before being named insurance commissioner by Kemp in 2019. In 2022, King secured a full term after overwhelmingly defeating a primary opponent backed by Trump, one of several Trump-aligned challengers to fall to Republican incumbents that year.
Trump’s reason for targeting King was never fully explained, though it may have been tied to his association with Kemp, a frequent target of the president and his inner circle at the time. Since that election, King has made efforts to align himself more closely with the president, appearing as a featured speaker at multiple Georgia rallies with Trump.
King took aim at Ossoff, accusing him of aligning more with California progressive Democrats than Georgia voters, pointing to his stance on immigration, desire to stop arms sales to Israel, and rejection of a GOP initiative targeting transgender athletes in girls sports.
“President Trump needs reinforcements and Georgia needs a new senator,” King said in a statement. “Jon Ossoff voted against securing our border, against supporting Israel, and for letting men play women’s sports. He’s California’s third senator, not Georgia’s senior senator. It’s time for a change.”
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King has a long road ahead in gaining name recognition among voters. A recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll placed him 13 points behind Ossoff in a possible matchup.
Georgia is one of Republicans’ best Senate pickup opportunities, and now a competitive GOP primary is already beginning to unfold. Others mulling a run include Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA), Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), and state Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper.