Photos: Potential candidates for Georgia Governor in 2018

Politics

Photos: Potential candidates for Georgia Governor in 2018

A look at who's been mentioned to run for Georgia Governor in 2018.

Stacey Abrams (Democrat) - The Georgia House Minority leader has been nationally lauded for working with Republicans to shape legislation. The Yale-educated attorney and author is the driving force behind the New Georgia Project, which aims to register hundreds of thousands of new left-leaning voters to cut into the GOP advantage in Georgia. The project was scrutinized by state investigators and some Democrats questioned how effective it was.

Casey Cagle (Republican) - Georgia's lieutenant governor since 2006, has traveled the state for ribbon-cuttings and fundraisers, talked to campaign strategists and nailed down supporters in case he runs. If he does, it will be his second bid. He was a top candidate in the 2010 Republican primary race, but withdrew and ran for re-election instead.

Doug Craig (Libertarian) - Craig is the first candidate to formally announce to run for governor. The sheet-metal fabricator in Atlanta’s southside, is the former chair of the party’s Georgia branch. Craig, who intends to run on an anti-tax, small government platform, said he announced his candidacy early, “Because Libertarians always wait to the last minute.”

Brian Kemp (Republican) - Georgia's Secretary of State has quietly reached out to key grassroots activists and locked down advisers should he decide to run. He’s also riding a wave of national attention – and facetime with presidential candidates – as the architect of the regional “SEC primary.”

Jack Kingston (Republican) - He served 20 years in U.S. congress before falling to David Perdue in the 2014 GOP runoff for U.S. Senator. Kingston is staying active in politics and recently became the Georgia GOP’s top fundraiser.

Sam Olens (Republican) - The Georgia Attorney General

David Perdue (Republican) - The former CEO was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 and portrays himself as an outsider. He is the cousin of former Gov. Sonny Perdue. His camp has sought to squelch rumors that he wants to run for governor and ditch Washington.

Sonny Perdue (Republican) - The former Governor said he’s heard from other Republicans wondering if he would attempt a return to the governor’s mansion.“I don’t know what it’s all about," he said. “I really would love to confront whoever’s creating those rumors and maybe we’ll have a conversation one of these days.”

Kasim Reed (Democrat) - The Atlanta mayor is the biggest subject of speculation. Reed will finish his second term in office in early 2018, and has become a national spokesman for the party on the talk show circuit and a key surrogate for Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid.

Lynn Westmoreland (Republican) - First elected to U.S. Congress in 2004, the Coweta County Republican is is said to be keeping tabs on the race.

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The next Georgia Governor election is three years away. But some high-profile politicians are beginning to lay the groundwork for a run. Some are lining up staffers and calling donors with their eye on moving into the Governor's mansion after the 2018 election. Here's a look at some potential candidates listed in alphabetical order.

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