Rarely before has Georgia’s monthly unemployment rate been so anticipated, but Thursday’s release could influence next month’s gubernatorial election.

Republican Gov. Nathan Deal has campaigned extensively on his stewardship of Georgia’s economy. His Democratic opponent, Jason Carter, has repeatedly slammed Deal over Georgia’s high jobless rate.

Georgia notched an 8.1 percent rate in August — the highest in the nation.

The state’s unemployment rate has dropped slightly each of the last three Septembers. It rose slightly the preceding four Septembers.

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Inventor Lonnie Johnson stands with his Super Soaker water guns at JTEC Energy on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Atlanta. Johnson, a former NASA engineer, is currently working on a new energy technology through his company’s JTEC device that turns thermal heat into usable energy. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

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Carleigh Knight (left) and her sister, Natalie Rogovin, look at Christmas ornaments while shopping at Kudzu Antiques + Modern in Decatur on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller