US representative Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she will not challenge Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in Georgia’s 2026 Senate race, a decision that eases concerns for some Republicans wary of her polarising image.In a post on X on Friday, Greene rejected concerns from GOP donors and consultants who warned she could alienate moderate Republicans and independents vital to unseating Ossoff. While calling Ossoff an “easy” opponent, she said her refusal stems from frustration with the Senate itself, which she described as ineffective and resistant to change.“Here’s the hard truth: the Senate doesn’t work,” Greene wrote. “It’s designed to obstruct the will of the people and protect the Uniparty’s grip on power.”Greene, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, also criticised her own party, saying many elected Republicans are controlled by donors and consultants who “don’t want change.” She added, “I won’t fight for a team that refuses to win, that protects its weakest players, and that undermines the very people it’s supposed to serve.”Greene’s decision follows Republican Governor Brian Kemp’s announcement earlier in the week that he, too, will not enter the Senate race. As per news agency AP, Kemp, a popular two-term governor, was viewed as the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s top recruit for the seat. His decision has left the GOP field wide open.Already stepping into that void is Rep. Buddy Carter, who became the first major Republican to announce his Senate candidacy. According to AP, six other Republicans are seriously considering a run, including Reps. Mike Collins and Rich McCormick, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Insurance Commissioner John King, and state Senator Greg Dolezal.Eric Tanenblatt, a key Republican fundraiser and ally of Kemp, was quoted as saying by AP, “I expect a competitive primary, Senate seats don’t come along that often.”Despite Greene’s wide national recognition and strong fundraising base, her controversial positions and alignment with conspiracy theories have drawn backlash. She was removed from House committees in 2021 with bipartisan support and later expelled from the House Freedom Caucus in 2023.Though Greene ruled out a Senate bid, she left the door open for other future ambitions. Earlier this year, she floated the idea of running for Georgia governor. In her post, she noted her appeal to grassroots conservatives and said, “If I’m going to fight for a team, it will only be a team willing to lay it all on the line to save this country.”
