PHOTOS: Qualifying week begins in Georgia

Politics

PHOTOS: Qualifying week begins in Georgia

Incumbents and political hopefuls officially filed paperwork at the Georgia capitol to run in their perspective races. Incumbents and challengers, newcomers and veterans descended on the capitol. Qualifying will continue for the week.

Democrat Everton Blair Jr., who is running for Congress, celebrates after filing paperwork to run for election at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Attorney General Chris Carr, Republican candidate for governor, files paperwork to run for election at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Democratic candidate for governor Jason Esteves is greeted by supporters as he enters to file paperwork to run for election at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Democratic candidate for governor, files paperwork to run for election at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff takes a selfie with a local lawmaker after Ossoff spoke at a supporters rally after he filed paperwork to run for his 2026 re-election campaign at Liberty Plaza next to the State Capitol, Monday, March. 2, 2026, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-St. Simons Island, who is running for U.S. Senate, files paperwork to run for election at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Republicans wait in line to file paperwork to run for election at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)x

Democratic candidates including Everton Blair Jr. (second left), who is running for Congress, wait in line to file paperwork to run for election at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)x

U.S. Rep. David Scott, D-Atlanta, is chased by reporters after filing paperwork to run for reelection at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Elizabeth Edmonds, dressed as the Cat in the Hat, speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026, as candidates lined up to file paperwork to run for election. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Marietta, files paperwork to run for reelection at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Democratic candidates Everton Blair Jr., who is running for Congress; U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Lithonia; and U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, wait in line to file paperwork to run for election at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Democrats wait in line to file paperwork to run for election at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Republican Jack Miller, who is running for the Georgia House of Representatives, speaks to a reporter during the first day to file paperwork to run for election at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Josh McLaurin, Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, files paperwork to run for election at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Republican Kandiss Taylor, who is running for Congress, is interviewed while waiting in line to file paperwork to run for election at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Atlanta, waits in line with her son Carter to file paperwork to run for reelection at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

People wait in the Republican line to file paperwork to run for election at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, gives a hug after filing paperwork to run for reelection at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Republican Jim Tully, who is running for Congress, reacts after saying, “Who doesn’t love a big bus,“ after Tully filed paperwork to run for election outside of the State Capitol, Monday, March. 2, 2026, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Democrat Everton Blair Jr., who is running for Congress, celebrates after filing paperwork to run for election at the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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