- The US Senator is a member of the United States Senate, the upper house of the United States Congress. There are a total of 100 US Senators. Georgia, like every other US state, has two senators. 
- US Senators have a great deal of power when it comes to bringing the concerns of their state to the national arena. US Senators can author, sponsor, amend, debate and vote on bills which may become national law. 
- US Senators have an important role in deciding who runs the federal government. They hold confirmation hearings for most presidential appointees, including new Supreme Court Justices and Presidential Cabinet Members.
- Senators can be appointed to committees which focus on particular issues. Examples include the Appropriations Committee, which handles budget planning, or the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is a diplomatic body that welcomes foreign delegations.
- Senators are elected to six-year terms in statewide elections. US Senators are paid a salary of $174,000/year.

One of two federal lawmakers representing Georgia in the US Senate.

Georgia

2022 General Election

2022 General Runoff

Economic Growth

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Economy

Immigration

Healthcare

Environment

Voting & Elections

Public Safety

Education

US Senator

- The Governor is similar to the President of the United States: they oversee the executive branch, sign bills into law and then enforce these laws, and act as the commander-in-chief of the state military.
- The Governor has a large influence over which new laws get passed because they can veto any legislation. Georgia lawmakers can only override a veto with a two-thirds majority in the State House and State Senate.
- The Governor appoints heads of various judicial and state offices including the: Department of Education, Department of Human Resources, Department of Public Safety, Department of Transportation, Department of Community Health, Department of Economic Development, and the Department of Natural Resources.
In case a state representative is not able to complete their term, the Governor can appoint a replacement until the end of the term. 
- The Governor is elected every 4 years in midterm election years (e.g., 2022, 2026, 2030). If a governor serves for eight years (two terms in a row), they must wait another four years before running again.

The chief executive of the state who oversees the executive branch

School Curriculum

Healthcare Costs

Governor

- The Lieutenant Governor (Lt. Governor for short) is similar to the Vice President of the United States. If the Governor is incapacitated for any reason, the Lt. Governor takes over their powers until the Governor recovers or the term ends.
- The Lt. Governor influences which new laws get passed by using their role as the President of the State Senate. They work with advocates to introduce legislation and assist in the selection of which bills go up for debate.
- The Lt. Governor oversees debate in the State Senate, guiding the discussion of legislation and casting tie-breaking votes when necessary. 
- The Lieutenant Governor is elected every four years in midterm election years (e.g. 2022, 2026, 2030). Unlike the Governor, the Lt. Governor is not subject to term limits and can run an unlimited number of times.

The second highest elected official in the state and President of the State Senate

Lieutenant Governor

- The Labor Commissioner is responsible for implementing the state's labor regulations, such as maintaining the minimum wage and enforcing child labor protections. 
- The Labor Commissioner is responsible for operating Georgia’s unemployment benefits program and rehabilitation programs. During the COVID pandemic, this role has become increasingly important as more people have lost their jobs and have filed for unemployment insurance and other related benefits. 
- In addition to these primary responsibilities, the Labor Commissioner produces statistics and research covering the Georgia labor market. The Labor Commissioner also creates workforce development and training programs, such as the GeorgiaBEST high school certificate vocational program. 
- The Labor Commissioner is elected to 4-year terms in a statewide election. There are no term limits for the Labor Commissioner and the salary is typically around $122,000/year.

Oversees labor regulations and development of Georgia’s workforce

Workers' Rights

Labor Shortage

Labor Commissioner

- A Public Service Commissioner is an elected official who serves on the Public Service Commission. This statewide, five-person board acts as the chief regulators for public utilities in Georgia. This includes power, natural gas, telecommunications, and trucking in Georgia.
- In 1879, the Public Service Commission was formed to oversee the construction and maintenance of railroads. Today, the Georgia Public Service Commission ensures that consumers receive safe and reliable telecommunications, electricity, and natural gas. 
- Public Service Commissioners heavily influence how much you pay in utilities by regulating the rates charged by most intrastate, investor-owned telecommunications, gas, and electric utilities operating in Georgia (companies such as Georgia Power and Atlanta Natural Gas and Light).
- The commission is made up of five elected members who serve staggered, six-year terms. Each commissioner is elected by a statewide election.

Part of a 5-person board that regulates Georgia’s public utilities

Utility Costs

Public Health

Energy & the Environment

Public Services

Public Service Commissioner

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property and sales taxes, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms in staggered years. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.

Creates new laws and passes the budget for your county

Taxes

Public Transportation

Housing & Urban Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

County Commissioner

- The Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission was established in the 1930s after the Georgia Dust Bowl. 
- The Commission is in charge of conserving, improving, and protecting Georgia's natural resources, with a focus on soil and water. They run water quality improvement projects, operate and maintain dams, and conduct inspections anytime someone needs to conduct any land-disturbing activities.
- District Supervisors are responsible for providing local representation. District Supervisors work with the Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to voice their local county needs.
- District Supervisors hold monthly meetings in their counties where citizens can give input on local resource priorities from state and federal assistance programs. 
- Each county is represented by at least two district supervisors, one appointed and one elected. SWCD Managers are unpaid. 

Works to ensure the conservation of your county’s natural resources

Upson

Administration

Budget

Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor

- City council members work together with the rest of city council to set and implement city policy. 
- City council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Most city council members in Georgia are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 

2022 Georgia candidates

Georgia US Senator

How this impacts you

Georgia Governor

3 candidates

How this impacts you

Georgia Lieutenant Governor

3 candidates

Georgia Labor Commissioner

3 candidates

How this impacts you

Public Service Commissioner, Seat 3

How this impacts you

Upson County Commissioner, District 3

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Upson County Commissioner, District 4

2 candidates

How this impacts you

Upson Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor

1 candidate

Valdosta City Council Member, District 3

3 candidates

How this impacts you

Walker County Commissioner, District 1

2 candidates

How this impacts you