ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Jason Carter, grandson of the late former President Jimmy Carter and a former state senator, said he will not run for governor in 2026.

On Monday, 49-year-old Carter told the Associated Press that he needs to focus on his wife, Kate, who has been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer.

“For all intents and purposes, I can’t imagine making a decision to run because it’s the wrong time for my family,” he said.

Carter, an Atlanta-based attorney, hasn’t been in politics since he ran for governor and lost in 2014.

The comment comes as other candidates are starting to announce their own gubernatorial runs – including Georgia Democratic Sen. Jason Esteves.

Carter told the Associated Press he will not endorse anybody, but added, “I’m very excited about Jason (Esteves)” and what he can offer voters and the party.

In November, Republican Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr became the first person to announce his bid for the governor’s seat. Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath filed paperwork to form an exploratory committee for the gubernatorial race, but later suspended her possible campaign when her husband was diagnosed with cancer.

Meanwhile, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said she will formally announce her run for governor soon.

Incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp, who has been governor since 2019, is constitutionally prohibited from seeking a third term next year.

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