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New Faces, Big Races: Who’s Running in Georgia
Candidate Tracker: Who’s In and What’s at Stake
🍑 This Week in Georgia:
Georgia State Senate District 21 Special Election- Early voting is underway in the special election to fill the open District 21 seat — and Democratic candidate Debra Shigley is making a strong, inspiring bid to flip a reliably Republican seat. A mom of five, former employment attorney, small‑business founder, and education advocate, Shigley brings proven leadership and a refreshing focus on public schools, family affordability, and healthcare expansion. She is running against six Republicans for the seat.
Former college football coach Derek Dooley has jumped into Georgia’s high-profile 2026 U.S. Senate race, aiming to unseat Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff. Dooley is widely seen as Governor Brian Kemp’s hand-picked candidate, entering a GOP primary that’s shaping up as a proxy war between Kemp and Donald Trump. The race is already drawing national attention — and millions in outside spending — as Republicans jockey for the chance to flip a seat Ossoff narrowly won in 2020.
End the Occupation. End the Genocide.
Over 60,000 innocent Palestinians have died since the beginning of the war in Gaza. What started as retaliation to the October 7th attacks has now become a full scale ethnic cleansing perpetrated by the Israeli government. From blocking aid trucks and inducing widespread famine, to sniping young children in their mother’s arms, Israeli forces have no boundaries to the horrors they are willing to commit. In the last two years, an estimated 50,000 children have been killed or severely injured, producing the largest cohort of child amputees in the world.
The 2030 Project is committed to working with Georgia’s legislature to create a free, equitable, and safe world. This vision is not possible when people are being mercilessly killed in different parts of the world. Our hopes for the future do not only apply to Georgia citizens; we do this work to ensure everyone, everywhere, can live freely and with dignity. The current administration’s actions are only worsening conditions in Palestine — not helping the people who are most in need.
We stand with Palestine — and urge everyone with a voice and a vote to demand that elected leaders, at every level, take action to end the bloodshed, the hatred, and the occupation.
Georgia’s Gubernatorial Race: Meet the Democratic Hopefuls
Governor Brian Kemp (R) is term-limited, providing Georgia Democrats with the potential opportunity to swing the state blue. With an array of candidates eager to usher in a new era for Georgians of all ages, let’s review the current list of candidates who all seek out to break the 28-year Republican occupation of the Governor’s Mansion:
Keisha Lance Bottoms, Former Mayor of Atlanta
After stepping down in her position with the Biden Administration’s Office of Public Engagement in 2023, Bottoms confirmed her candidacy for Governor in April of 2025. A prominent voice in the Democratic Party, Bottoms served for four years as Atlanta’s Mayor before working in the White House, shocking many Democrats by not choosing to run for a second mayoral term. As she began her campaign tour in DeKalb County, Bottoms is focusing on ushering in more small businesses to the Peach State, and increasing Medicaid access under the Affordable Care Act.
Olu Brown, Former Atlanta Pastor and Business Owner
While possessing the least amount of political experience amongst the current roster of candidates vying for the Democratic nomination, Brown’s 25 years in the field of ministry provides him with unique leadership experience. Marketing himself as a problem-solver, Brown was able to help grow Atlanta’s Impact Church over the past 15 years, and is focusing his campaign around advocating for small businesses and affordable healthcare.
Derrick Jackson, State Representative for Georgia’s 68th District
Jackson, the current State Representative for Fayette County, Georgia, announced his candidacy for Governor in early June 2025. His announcement arrives after serving his fifth consecutive term under Georgia’s Gold Dome. As a military veteran, lawmaker, and public servant, Jackson is focusing his campaign on pressing topics for Georgians, such as increases to the minimum wage and repealing the controversial six-week abortion ban.
Micheal Thurmond, Former CEO of DeKalb County
The latest entry into the gubernatorial race, Thurmond owns significant experience in the realm of public service; from holding office as labor commissioner to representing Athens, Georgia, Thurmond’s lengthy resume of serving Georgia’s sets a trustworthy precedent. Although he made an unsuccessful attempt at seeking a Senate seat in 2010, Thurmond’s role as the CEO of DeKalb County ushered in significant wealth for the area, generating over $150 million. His campaign is focused on decreasing divisions amongst citizens, and tackling the affordability of mortgages and groceries.
Jason Esteves, State Senator for Georgia’s 35th District
Esteves, a former school teacher and former Treasurer of the Democratic Party in Georgia, has made significant strides in his platform since announcing his campaign in April of 2025. As a prominent voice in the Georgia Capitol, the State Senator owns a reputation for his impactful speeches on topics such as voter rights and education. With his campaign trail making its first stop in the city of Savannah, Esteves hopes to fire up Georgians through his amplification of affordability and accessible housing.
Jon Ossoff: Proven Leadership Georgia Can Count On
Senator Jon Ossoff heads into his 2026 reelection campaign with a track record rooted in accountability, bipartisan cooperation, and steady leadership.
As his time as a Senator, Ossoff has taken on many influential roles. He serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee—where he’s the top Democrat on the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee—and contributes to oversight of energy, agriculture, public health, and national security through other key posts. He also serves on the Intelligence Committee and the Senate Rules Committee.
His key achievements:
The Federal Prison Oversight Act improves transparency and accountability within the federal prison system by establishing independent oversight mechanisms.
The Military Families Mental Health Services Act expands access to mental health care for military family members, addressing longstanding gaps in care.
The Prison Camera Reform Act mandates upgraded surveillance systems in federal prisons to enhance safety and prevent abuse or misconduct.
The Rural Opioid Abuse Prevention Act directs resources toward combating opioid addiction in rural communities, supporting prevention and treatment.
The Senator Johnny Isakson VA Regional Office Act honors the late Georgia senator by renaming a VA facility, highlighting Ossoff’s bipartisan commitment to veterans.
The Civil Rights Cold Case Investigations Support Act renews efforts to investigate unsolved murders from the civil rights era, ensuring that historical injustices are not forgotten.
The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Post Office Act pays tribute to the former president and first lady by renaming the Plains, Georgia post office in their honor.
And, though former University of Tennessee coach Derek Dooley has put his name in to run against Senator Ossoff, let this be a reminder to Georgia that Ossoff stands for ALL Georgians.
With so much on the line, Georgia deserves a leader with real experience and a proven record—not just a familiar name.
Don’t Forget about Statewide Offices!
Lieutenant Governor
Sen. Josh McLaurin (D–Sandy Springs) has officially entered the 2026 lieutenant governor’s race, running on a progressive platform that includes expanding Medicaid, restoring reproductive freedoms, and promoting common‑sense gun safety laws. His campaign positions the lieutenant governor’s office as a vehicle to challenge GOP extremism and reshape the tone of the state Senate.
Attorney General
Bob Trammell, a former Georgia House minority leader, is the sole Democrat currently running for Attorney General, having filed paperwork and launched an exploratory campaign. With the incumbent GOP Attorney General Chris Carr running for governor, Trammell seeks to bring a focus on protecting Georgians’ rights to the open seat.
Secretary of State
No Democrat has officially declared their candidacy for Georgia’s Secretary of State race in 2026 so far. The current field includes Republican state Rep. Tim Fleming and businessman Kelvin King.
Labor Commissioner
No Democratic candidate has announced a run for Labor Commissioner in 2026. The only declared candidate is incumbent Republican Bárbara Rivera Holmes, who is running for a full term.
Agriculture
No Democratic candidate has announced a run for Agriculture Commissioner in 2026. The current Commissioner, Tyler Harper, has been serving since 2023 but has not publicly declared whether he’ll be seeking re-election.
Public Service Commissioner
As previously covered in our newsletter, two seats on Georgia’s Public Service Commission—Districts 2 and 3—are up for a special election this November 2025. In 2026, the District 3 seat will return to a full six-year term, while District 5 will also appear on the ballot for a full term.
A New Age for a Just Georgia
From the top of the ticket to critical down-ballot offices, Georgia’s upcoming elections will shape the direction of our state for years to come — from Governor and U.S. Senate to Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and the Public Service Commission. These contests aren’t just about who holds office — they’re about what kind of state we want to live in. Together, they give Georgians a real chance to chart a new course rooted in justice, opportunity, and accountability at every level of government.
Until next time,
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