Northeast Georgia voters weigh crowded statewide primaries Tuesday

Voters across Georgia go to the polls Tuesday in a Republican primary, Democratic primary and nonpartisan general election featuring crowded statewide races for governor and U.S. Senate, competitive U.S. House nominations, judicial contests, and a wide slate of local tax referendums and commission races across northeast Georgia.

Georgia’s open primary system allows voters to choose one party ballot or a nonpartisan ballot, with races ranging from statewide executive offices to local school funding measures and judicial elections.

Statewide races set stage for party control battles

Georgia voters head to the polls May 19 to decide crowded party primaries for governor, U.S. Senate, and a full slate of statewide offices, setting the tone for the state’s political direction heading into the next election cycle.

Governor

In the Republican primary for governor, voters will choose among Chris Carr, Clark Dean, Rick Jackson, Burt Jones, Gregg Kirkpatrick, Brad Raffensperger, Tom Williams and Ken Yasger in a wide-open race that spans establishment figures, statewide officeholders and political newcomers.

On the Democratic side, the gubernatorial field includes Keisha Lance Bottoms, Olu Brown, Amanda Duffy, Geoff Duncan, Jason Esteves, Derrick Jackson and Michael “Mike” Thurmond, giving voters a similarly crowded contest featuring former statewide officials, local leaders and metro Atlanta political figures.

U.S. Senate

The governor’s race sits at the top of a ballot that also includes contested primaries for U.S. Senate, where Republicans are weighing candidates Earl “Buddy” Carter, Mike Collins, John F. Coyne III, Derek Dooley and Jonathan “Jon” McColumn for the right to face off with incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff.

Other statewide races

In the lieutenant governor’s race, Republicans will choose among David Clark, Greg Dolezal, Steve Gooch, John F. Kennedy, Brenda Lynn Nelson-Porter, Takosha Swan and Blake Tillery. Democrats have a three-way contest featuring Josh McLaurin, Nabilah Parkes and Richard N. Wright.

The secretary of state primary includes Republicans Tim Fleming, Vernon Jones, Kelvin King, Ted Metz and Gabriel “Gabe” Sterling, while Democrats are considering Cam Ashling, Dana Barrett, Penny Brown Reynolds and Adrian Consonery Jr.

In the attorney general race, Republicans Bill Cowsert and Brian Strickland are competing for the nomination, while Democrats are choosing between Tanya Miller and Robert “Bob” Trammell.

Down-ballot statewide offices include commissioner of agriculture, where Republican incumbent Tyler Harper faces no listed GOP opposition, and commissioner of insurance, where Republican incumbent John King is also seeking reelection. Democrats are fielding contested races in both offices, including multiple candidates in the insurance and agriculture primaries.

The state school superintendent race features Republican incumbent Richard Woods facing a challenge from Nelva Lee, Fred “Bubba” Longgrear, Mesha Mainor and Randell E. Trammell, while Democrats are choosing between Anton Anthony, Lydia Powell and Otha Thornton.

Public Service Commission seats are also on the ballot, with Republicans and Democrats competing in both District 3 and District 5 races that will help determine regulation of Georgia utilities and energy policy.

Congressional races feature primary contests in key districts

Voters will also weigh Republican and Democratic primaries for Georgia’s congressional delegation in several closely watched districts across north and northeast Georgia.

In the 7th Congressional District, Republican U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick faces Democratic challengers Tony Kozycki, Larry Long, Case Norton, and Jayson Toweh. The district, which includes parts of the suburban Atlanta fringe, continues to reflect shifting political dynamics driven by population growth, suburban development, and voter realignment in North Georgia. While Republicans remain favored in recent cycles, Democrats are fielding a full slate of candidates in an effort to compete across a rapidly changing electorate.

In the 9th Congressional District, Republican U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde faces GOP primary challengers Sam Couvillon and Gregg Poole, while Democrats Nick Alex and Caitlyn Gegen compete on the other side. The district remains heavily Republican, with primary contests often serving as the most competitive phase of the race.

In the 10th Congressional District, voters will choose from Republican candidates including Jeff Baker, Houston Gaines, and Ryan Millsap as well as Democratic candidates Pamela DeLancy, Lexy Doherty and John Dority in a district that stretches through east-central Georgia and includes the Athens area, blending rural counties with a major university center.

Republican primaries in these districts are also on the ballot, with incumbents and challengers seeking nominations in a cycle that will help determine Georgia’s representation in Washington as debates continue over immigration, the economy and federal spending priorities.

Habersham County features local commission races and school funding votes

In Habersham County, voters will decide two open commission seats along with a countywide education funding referendum that will help determine both leadership and school capital investment priorities.

In the District 2 commission race, candidates are emphasizing competing approaches to growth and development, in the race to take over for retiring commissioner Dustin Mealor.

Candidate Shelley Tullis is highlighting business experience and a focus on ensuring community voices are included in county decision-making, according to local campaign coverage. Tullis squares off against former Commissioner Andrea Harper who’s emphasizing experience and a more cautious approach to managing growth pressures in the county.

The race comes as local civic and agricultural stakeholders continue broader discussions on development and land use, including Farm Bureau policy discussion that highlighted infrastructure needs and long-term planning priorities in northeast Georgia.

In District 3, candidate Jason Smith is emphasizing public service experience and infrastructure planning as central themes in the race to succeed outgoing leadership, according to campaign coverage. Smith will take on local business owner Danny McClellon for the race to hold the seat vacated by Commissioner Jimmy Tench.

Alongside the commission races, Habersham voters will decide whether to continue the county’s education special purpose local option sales tax, or ESPLOST, which funds school construction, technology, equipment and facility upgrades across the Habersham County School District.

The combined local races and referendum come as the county continues to balance growth pressures, infrastructure demands and school system capital needs.

County referendums and local ballot issues across Northeast Georgia

Across the region, voters will also weigh a series of penny sales tax and capital funding referendums that will shape infrastructure and services for years to come.

White, Hall, Franklin and Stephens counties are among those considering education SPLOST measures that would fund school construction, renovations, technology upgrades and facility improvements.

Clarke County voters will decide a TSPLOST referendum tied to transportation funding, while Oconee, Barrow and Dawson counties are weighing SPLOST measures funding a range of countywide capital projects, including public safety, infrastructure, parks and government facilities.

In Barrow County, voters will also decide a bond referendum to fund courthouse and jail expansion, along with a separate SPLOST proposal supporting public safety, transportation, recreation and municipal infrastructure projects across multiple jurisdictions.

Stephens County voters will weigh an ESPLOST continuation that would fund $44 million in school district projects, including facility upgrades, equipment purchases, athletic facilities and transportation improvements.

Oconee County voters are also considering a SPLOST referendum funding a broad package of county, municipal and infrastructure projects, including recreation, public safety and transportation improvements across multiple cities and towns.

What to watch Tuesday

Election officials across Georgia are expected to begin reporting early results shortly after polls close, with turnout levels in suburban counties and northeast Georgia school funding referendums likely to serve as early indicators of voter engagement.

Statewide races for governor and U.S. Senate are expected to dominate attention as results come in, while closely watched congressional primaries in the 7th, 9th and 10th districts could signal shifting political dynamics in north and northeast Georgia.

Local commission races and SPLOST and ESPLOST referendums are also expected to draw strong interest in Habersham and surrounding counties, where infrastructure, growth and school funding remain central issues for voters.