Former Republican lieutenant governor turned Democrat Geoff Duncan vowed to fix a “broken” healthcare system in a Thursday campaign stop in Augusta.
Duncan, who is running for governor, said he’s hearing the same message in every corner of the state: People are scared and frustrated by a healthcare system that is failing them.
“Whether it’s the inability to afford a commercial health plan because the premiums have skyrocketed, whether you’re worried about losing your (Affordable Care Act) subsidy that is now going to double most folks’ plans or you just got removed from the Medicaid rolls, there’s confusion in the streets,” Duncan said.
Duncan said he’s traveling the state listening to nurse practitioners, doctors, hospital systems and citizens who want better, “To think that Washington, D.C. is a friend to Georgia right now is wrong,” he said.
“The healthcare system is broken, whether you’re a patient, a nurse, a doctor, a hospital assistant or an insurer. Nobody likes or agrees with the way the hospital system, the insurance system is working, and so we’ve got to do better,” he said.
Elected lieutenant governor as a Republican in 2018, Duncan publicly broke with then-President Trump and other Georgia Republicans over their efforts to overturn the state’s election results. He did not seek reelection.
Duncan officially switched his affiliation to the Democratic Party when he joined the growing field of Democrats seeking the nomination in next year’s primary. These include former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, state Sen. Jason Esteves and former DeKalb County CEO and state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond.
Duncan criticized Republican leadership in Washington, including President Donald Trump for “politicizing healthcare” and doubling down on policies that hurt Georgia families and businesses.
“I don’t look down party lines. I look in Georgians’ eyes and focus on the issues that matter most, affordability, healthcare and pushing back on Donald Trump’s toxic leadership style. I think that’s the pathway for victory,” he said.
Georgians haven’t elected a Democratic governor in almost 30 years, since Roy Barnes took office in 1998, but they now have a chance to make history.
“I think this is an opportunity to get Georgians together, and I bring a package that’s able to get Democrats, independents and disgusted Republicans in November 2026 to vote for us and be able to get the state back on track. That’s why I’m running,” he said.
