Georgia State Rep Ruwa Romman Launches 2026 Governor Bid Aiming Progressive Shift

Ruwa Romman, a 32-year-old Georgia state House member and the first Muslim woman elected to the state's General Assembly, announced her 2026 bid for governor with a progressive platform focused on raising the minimum wage, reopening closed hospitals, and pushing corporations to divest from single-family homes. Romman, born in Jordan and a granddaughter of Palestinian refugees, is known for her Palestinian advocacy, including her involvement in a movement at the 2024 Democratic National Convention that withheld support from Vice President Kamala Harris over opposition to President Joe Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war. She emphasizes the need for Democrats to adopt a clearer progressive vision and better voter organization to energize turnout, warning that too much caution and compromise with special interests could discourage voters. Romman aims to challenge the Republicans' 24-year hold on Georgia's governorship, with the seat open due to term limits on current Governor Brian Kemp. The Democratic field includes notable figures such as former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and former state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, while Republicans like Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Attorney General Chris Carr are also contenders. Romman pledges "a new kind of politics" and a forward-looking vision to attract voters in a competitive race.