A veteran Atlanta commercial real estate broker is launching an outsider bid for the Georgia Governor's Mansion.
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Transwestern Executive Managing Director Clark Dean filed paperwork last week to put himself on the ballot for the Georgia governor’s race in 2026 as a Republican.
While not known widely in political circles, Dean is a veteran CRE broker who last year was tapped by Georgia-Pacific to help it plan the conversion of its 51-story headquarters tower at 133 Peachtree St. with 400 apartment units and 125K SF of restaurants and retail space.
“I am grateful for all the calls and encouragement over the last few weeks, and I look forward to formally launching our campaign,” Dean said in an emailed statement to Bisnow. “As an outsider and business leader, I will stand firm in our shared conservative American principles, put Georgia families first and deliver real results.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution first reported Dean's campaign. He told the AJC he was encouraged to jump in the campaign after speaking at recent political events and plans to formally launch his campaign within days.
Dean founded Transwestern's Transaction Sciences Group and was the Houston-based brokerage firm's No. 1 producer in 2021, largely focusing on tenant representation, according to his Transwestern biography.
He is involved in various civic organizations, including serving as past president and chairman of the Rotary Club of Atlanta, chair-elect for the Shepherd Center, chair of YMCA of Metro Atlanta, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, The Atlanta Opera and chair of the Board of Councilors for The Carter Center.
With two-term Republican Gov. Brian Kemp unable to run again, Dean joins a crowded field competing to replace him.
Already, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who secured President Donald Trump’s endorsement, and Attorney General Chris Carr have announced they plan to run for governor. Carr already raised more than $3M in his campaign war chest.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a longtime Kemp ally, is also expected to announce his bid for the gubernatorial seat, the AJC reported.
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