Georgia Insurance Commissioner John F. King has officially entered the 2026 Republican primary race for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Jon Ossoff. King's announcement on May 12 positions him as the second major GOP contender, following U.S. Representative Buddy Carter's declaration. This development comes after both Governor Brian Kemp and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene declined to run.

King, 61, brings a diverse background to the race. Born in Mexico, he immigrated to the United States and pursued higher education at Brenau University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and public administration. He later obtained a Master's Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. His law enforcement career began with the Atlanta Police Department in 1985, where he served in various capacities, including the Red Dog unit and Organized Crime/Intelligence. In 1987, he was recognized with the Chief’s Blue Star after being injured in the line of duty. King later became the Chief of Police for the City of Doraville, implementing initiatives to bridge gaps among diverse populations, such as hiring bilingual officers and launching anti-gang education programs.

In addition to his law enforcement career, King retired as a Major General in the U.S. Army National Guard. His military service includes deployments to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa. Notably, he served as the Military Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Interior for Security in Afghanistan, overseeing an agency of over 96,000 police officers.

King's political career began when Governor Brian Kemp appointed him as Georgia's Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner in 2019, following the suspension of Jim Beck. In 2022, King made history by becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office in Georgia.

In his campaign announcement, King emphasized his support for former President Donald Trump and criticized Senator Ossoff's tenure. He stated, "President Trump needs reinforcements and Georgia needs a new senator."

Despite his extensive background, King remains relatively unknown statewide. Building name recognition will be crucial for his campaign. Additionally, the Senate race is expected to be costly, with projections reaching hundreds of millions. King will need to demonstrate significant fundraising capabilities to remain competitive. Meanwhile, Senator Ossoff has already raised over $11 million this year, underscoring the anticipated competitiveness of the race.

King's entry into the race follows U.S. Representative Buddy Carter's announcement. Other GOP figures, including Representatives Mike Collins and Rich McCormick, and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, are still considering running, indicating a potentially crowded Republican primary.

King's candidacy highlights the increasing diversity within Georgia's political landscape. As the first Hispanic elected to statewide office in Georgia, his campaign may resonate with the state's growing Hispanic population, potentially influencing voter dynamics and engagement.

The outcome of the Republican primary will significantly impact the general election dynamics against Senator Ossoff. King's diverse background and political positioning will be key factors to watch as the race unfolds.