Georgia GOP Chair Josh McKoon Won’t Seek Third Term
Josh McKoon said on October 30 that he will not pursue another term as chairman of the Georgia Republican Party. His current term ends after four years in the volunteer role, which he took on in 2023 after serving as a state senator and attorney.
McKoon said he had initially planned to serve one term, then ran again after the party’s 2024 success with the understanding that the second term would be his last. He said stepping aside would leave him more time to share with his wife, Jacqueline, and their family, as well as for professional commitments. He made the decision eight months ago and did not name a preferred successor or outline future political plans.
His announcement comes just days before the November 3 elections. McKoon acknowledged that Republican early voting has not matched the high levels seen in 2024, while saying the party expects stronger Election Day turnout. He argued that Republicans have historically turned out in greater numbers on Election Day than during early voting.
McKoon also challenged polls showing Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff ahead of Republican challenger Mike Collins. He pointed to polling errors in past elections and said surveys can undercount conservative voters. Some Republicans have warned that a large Ossoff victory could hurt other GOP candidates, including gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson.
McKoon said the outcome of the November 3 elections did not affect his decision to leave. Georgia Republicans will choose a new chair when his term ends, as the party looks toward the 2028 presidential campaign and the state’s role in it.
Georgia GOP Chair Steps Aside as Party Faces Election Tests
Georgia Republicans will have a new chairman after Josh McKoon announced on October 30 that he will not pursue another term. His departure comes as the party enters the November 3 elections facing lagging early turnout and polls that show Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff leading Republican challenger Mike Collins.
McKoon acknowledged that Republican early voting has not reached the high levels of 2024. The party is counting on a large Election Day turnout to make up the difference, and McKoon cited past Republican strength on Election Day. That expectation is central to the GOP’s case as voters prepare to decide the Senate contest and other races, including the contest involving Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson.
McKoon pushed back against polling that shows Ossoff with a significant lead, invoking past polling failures and arguing that surveys undercount conservative voters. Republicans have also warned that a decisive Ossoff win could weigh on down-ballot candidates. The election results will test whether the party’s confidence in late turnout is borne out.
McKoon said his choice to leave was made eight months ago and was not tied to the result. He took over in 2023, initially intending to serve one term, then ran again after the party’s 2024 success. He said four years serving as a volunteer chair had been sufficient and that leaving would allow more time for family and professional commitments.
The party will select a new chair when McKoon’s term ends. With Georgia expected to play a critical role in the 2028 presidential race, the next leader will inherit a state central to the national political contest.
McKoon Leaves Georgia GOP After Four Years, Trusts Election Day Surge
Josh McKoon is leaving the Georgia Republican Party chairmanship after four years, but he is betting that Republicans can still deliver on November 3. Announcing on October 30 that he would not seek another term, McKoon said Republican early voting has not matched 2024 levels but expects the party’s voters to turn out in greater numbers on Election Day.
That confidence is a direct answer to the Democratic early-voting advantage and polls showing Sen. Jon Ossoff leading Republican challenger Mike Collins. McKoon questioned the reliability of the surveys, citing past misses and saying polls can undercount conservative voters. He also rejected the assumption that a strong Ossoff result would necessarily define the outcome for other Republicans, including gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson.
The November 3 vote will show whether Republicans can turn their Election Day expectations into results. McKoon pointed to the party’s historical strength on Election Day, while acknowledging that early turnout has been lower than in 2024. The stakes extend beyond the Senate race: Georgia will be important in the 2028 presidential campaign.
McKoon said his decision to leave was made eight months ago and had nothing to do with the November 3 outcome. He first took the chairmanship in 2023 intending to serve one term, then sought reelection after the party’s 2024 success, with the understanding that the next term would be his last.
He said leaving the volunteer post would give him more hours to share with his wife, Jacqueline, and their family, and focus on professional commitments. Georgia Republicans will choose a new chair when his term ends.
Reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, Atlanta News First.
