ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - In another sign that the state’s No. 2 elected position is likely to be an open race, state Sen. John F. Kennedy announced Monday morning he is running for lieutenant governor.

Kennedy, a Republican state senator from Macon who has been in the Georgia General Assembly since 2015, was the primary sponsor of Gov. Brian Kemp’s efforts to reform the state’s civil litigation system in 2025, often referred to as tort reform.

Kennedy, who is the top ranking Republican in the state Senate, has no relation to the famous political dynasty on the Democratic side.

Judicial reform was Kemp’s top legislative priority in the past legislative session, as he and the Republican-led state legislature attempted to rein in what they called frivolous and excessive jury awards.

Tort reform, which would overhaul Georgia’s civil litigation system, would make it harder to sue businesses for things that happen on their property, a concept known as premises liability. But survivors and families of victims say it could also make it harder for them to seek justice against wrongdoers.

Burt Jones, the current Republican lieutenant governor, is expected to run for governor next year and could announce his candidacy within weeks.

Kennedy joins Georgia Senate Minority Leader Steve Gooch from Dahlonega in the race; Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Blake Tillery of Vidalia has filed paperwork to run as a Republican for lieutenant governor.

On the Democratic side, the only declared candidate is state Sen. Josh McLaurin of Sandy Springs.

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