Kandiss Taylor

Taylor received a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and master's and specialist degrees in school counseling from Georgia Southern University.[1] She also has a PhD in school counseling and supervision from Regent University.[1][2]

Prior to running for office, Taylor worked as a teacher and educator in Baxley, Georgia.[1][3]

In January 2021, Taylor announced she would be running as a candidate in the 2022 Georgia gubernatorial election.[3] Her campaign slogan of "Jesus Guns Babies" received widespread mockery.[4][5][6] Taylor came third in the primary, receiving just 3.4% of the vote. She refused to concede her loss, alleging that the election was "rigged".[7][2]

In April 2023, Taylor was elected as the Republican Chair of Georgia's 1st district.[8]

During her 2022 gubernatorial campaign, Taylor promoted conspiracy theories about state Republican leaders being secret communists and Democrats being Satanic pedophiles.[9][10] She also called the Georgia Guidestones "Satanic" and made their removal part of her campaign platform; the monument was later bombed.[11][12][13] Following the bombing, Taylor said she believed God had destroyed the monument.[13]

In May 2023, Taylor promoted the Flat Earth conspiracy theory on her Jesus, Guns, & Babies podcast, claiming that globes are part of a conspiracy to "brainwash" people into believing the Earth is a globe.[9][10] Taylor's remarks were later parodied by comedian Blaire Erskine.[14]

In October 2023, Taylor accused Taylor Swift of including "satanic nods" on her show and "celebrating witchcraft."[15]

Kandiss is married to Ryan Taylor, an educator. They have three children.[1] In July 2022, Taylor said her family was the victim of a swatting call.[16][17]