Photos: Which candidates will be at the RedState Gathering

Politics

Photos: Which candidates will be at the RedState Gathering

Chris Christie (speaking on Friday Aug. 7 at 9:30 a.m.) – Once the party’s star, begged by insiders to run in 2012, the New Jersey governor is diminished by a bridge closing scandal and fiscal problems in his home state, but he’s betting his tough-talking style will work on the New Hampshire town hall circuit. He is pals with Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, earned one-quarter of a presidential endorsement from Gov. Nathan Deal.

Rick Perry (speaking on Friday Aug. 7 at 11:30 a.m.) – The biggest bust of the 2012 cycle, Texas’ former governor has studied up and put on glasses in an attempt to climb the mountain again. He checked the conservative boxes as governor – except at times on immigration – and is an exceptional retail campaigner, but his lackluster performance last time means he starts from a disadvantage. He is zeroed in on Iowa.

Bobby Jindal (speaking on Friday Aug. 7 at 1:30 p.m.) – The Louisiana governor has a compelling personal story as the son of Indian immigrants and aggressive social conservative views, but his home state has fiscal problems and he still might be best known for an awkward 2009 response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address. He backed Gov. Nathan Deal’s re-election, earning Deal’s support for president – along with three other current or former governors.

Carly Fiorina (speaking on Friday Aug. 7 at 3:30 p.m.) – The only woman in the Republican field has impressed audiences in the early going, but big layoffs when she was CEO of Hewlett-Packard will haunt her, and she lost her only run for office for U.S. Senate in California in 2010.

Marco Rubio (speaking on Friday Aug. 7 at 4:30 p.m.) – The charismatic Latino 44-year-old first-term Florida U.S. Senator strikes a racial and generational contrast to much of the Republican and Democratic fields, but his backflips on immigration policy – pushing a comprehensive reform bill, then backing off after it failed – left a sour taste in the mouths of many on both sides.

Mike Huckabee (speaking on Saturday Aug. 8 at 9 a.m.) – In 2008 the former Arkansas governor came out of nowhere to win Iowa (and later Georgia), and went onto a lucrative career as a television host. He will try to re-create some of the old magic by rallying social conservatives, but there is more competition for that slice of the electorate this time. He backed Gov. Nathan Deal’s re-election, earning Deal’s support for president – along with three other current or former governors.

Ted Cruz (speaking on Saturday Aug. 8 at 11:30 a.m.) – Texas’ junior U.S. senator is a firebrand who has made plenty of enemies in his short time in the Capitol, but plenty of friends in the conservative movement, by aggressively challenging party leaders at every turn. Mainstream Republicans express concern that he is too conservative to win a general election.

Jeb Bush (speaking on Saturday Aug. 8 at 1:30 p.m.) – The Former Florida governor has instant name ID and gobs of money but has struggled to claim the front-runner mantle as he deals with his family legacy and positions at odds with the conservative GOP base. Bush is one of four current and former governors who helped Gov. Nathan Deal’s re-election, and thus earned Deal’s split endorsement for president.

Scott Walker (speaking on Saturday Aug. 8 at 4:30 p.m.) – Wisconsin’s governor has won three times – including a recall election – in a blue state and captured national attention for his battles with labor unions. Early stumbles raised questions of whether he’s ready for prime time.

Donald Trump (speaking on Saturday Aug. 8 between 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.) – The self-financing business tycoon grabs attention and has instant name identification and a bombastic style that contrasts with the current president. He's at the top of many polls despite -- or because of -- bizarre speeches have offended several groups, and he has been all over the place on policy.

1/10

Chris Christie (speaking on Friday Aug. 7 at 9:30 a.m.) – Once the party’s star, begged by insiders to run in 2012, the New Jersey governor is diminished by a bridge closing scandal and fiscal problems in his home state, but he’s betting his tough-talking style will work on the New Hampshire town hall circuit. He is pals with Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, earned one-quarter of a presidential endorsement from Gov. Nathan Deal.

Today's Gallery Headlines

The Center tour

PHOTOS: An early look at CNN Center's redevelopment in downtown Atlanta

Wayfair Tour

PHOTOS: Wayfair opens first Atlanta store

Atlanta Hawks host the Boston Celtics

PHOTOS: Hawks defeat Celtics in key East battle

People march in Bishop Park in Athens on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Protesters gathered in 10 different locations around Georgia’s Congressional District 10, leading up to a “Democracy Fair” at Bishop Park as part of a nationwide day of “No Kings” demonstrations. Organizers estimate that a few thousand people participated, many of them first-time protesters. (C.J. Bartunek for the AJC)

PHOTOS: 'No Kings' rally at Bishop Park in Athens, Ga.

More Galleries

0012406527

PHOTOS: Julian Bond — denied but not defeated

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr (right) confers with state Sen. RaShaun Kemp, D-Atlanta, at the Wild Hog supper, the traditional kickoff to the legislative session in Atlanta, on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

PHOTOS: Georgia legislative session kicks off with Wild Hog Supper

Fani Willis testifies

PHOTOS: Fani Willis testifies before state Senate panel

Vance leans into pitchman role for Trump’s tax law in Georgia

PHOTO: Vice President JD Vance speaks to Georgia Republicans