2026 Georgia General Election

Israel Barsh

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Pavel Tantchev

Barsh is the CEO and founder of Lionsgate Coalition and the owner of U.S. Global Office of Nonprofits LLC, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps establish nonprofits across the country and Troup County. He is also a proud member of the LaGrange-Troup Chamber of Commerce.

After high school, Barsh entered the U.S. Army as a noncommissioned officer, later earning a Bachelor’s degree in social work, military science and business from Washington State University in 1989. Barsh later received a Doctorate of Divinity from A.L. Hardy Seminary in Seattle, with a focus on community development.

Barsh worked for 15-plus years in the State of Washington, working as a social worker, a juvenile counselor and a child protective services agent. Barsh also founded and served as the principal of a K–12 Christian academy.

Barsh hopes to bring hope, restoration and unity to LaGrange

Barsh is married to Resa Barsh, and together they have nine sons and one daughter. The couple currently serve as overseers of The Palace of the King Church of LaGrange and have led the Feed the Valley food distribution for families.

Israel Barsh earned a bachelor's degree in social work, military science, and business from Washington State University. He later earned a doctorate in divinity from A.L. Hardy Seminary, with a focus on community development. He is married to Resa Barsh, and they have ten children; they serve as overseers of The Palace of the King Church of LaGrange and have led the Feed the Valley food distribution for families.

Councilman Boddie resigns after guilty plea, potential charge remains

Israel is the CEO and founder of Lionsgate Coalition and owns U.S. Global Office of Nonprofits LLC. He previously worked as a social worker, juvenile counselor, and child protective services agent, and founded and served as principal of a K–12 Christian academy.

Dr. Israel Barsh is again tossing his hat into the ring for a city council seat for LaGrange’s District 2. Barsh has previously run for public office in LaGrange, running for mayor and city council. Though he has not won either seat, he has remained actively involved, attending council meetings and, on occasion, voicing concerns to the mayor and council.

Qualified Candidates as of August 24, 2021 for the
November 2, 2021 Election

SPECIAL ELECTION CCDR5 Race
Commissioner District 5
INCUMBENT - VACANT (Richard English, Deceased)
Kendall Butler
Israel Barsh

Israel previously ran for mayor and city council in LaGrange but did not win either race.

02

Economic Growth

& Jobs

* Attract new industries — technology, logistics, clean energy — while supporting local small businesses.

Israel Barsh For Mayor of LaGrange, GA 2025

Plans a District 2 “empowerment zone” offering nonprofit grant-writing training and utility-bill assistance without taxing the city budget.

Barsh’s vision for District 2 includes attracting major industries to create new jobs, increase wages and expand opportunities for local residents. He said he plans to create an “empowerment zone” in District 2 to empower nonprofits with grant writing training and to support citizens, by bringing relief to help with utility bills, which will not tax the city budget.

Proposes a youth employment agency to prepare young people and adults for high-wage careers.

He also proposed creating a youth employment agency to equip young people and adults with gainful skills for high-wage careers, keeping them in LaGrange and District 2 after high school.

Plans to attract technology, logistics, and clean-energy industries while supporting local small businesses.

- Plans to attract technology, logistics, and clean-energy industries while supporting local small businesses.

Economy

Advocates investing more city funds in youth jobs and activities, including a skating rink or bowling alley.

Barsh believes the city should invest more budget resources in youth to stop the violence and increase jobs and create activities for youth, such as a skating rink or a bowling alley in LaGrange.

Plans monthly town halls, citizen advisory boards, and an open budget dashboard to promote city accountability.

Barsh said transparency is a must, so he would hold monthly town halls and establish citizen advisory boards, launch an open budget dashboard for full accountability that will serve all neighborhoods, from "Ogletree to Hamilton Road, Davis Road and the Country Club."

Mayoral candidate Israel Barsh sees LaGrange as a city of destiny

Public Services

Supports expanding affordable and workforce housing projects.

03

Affordable Housing

& Homelessness

* Expand affordable and workforce housing projects.

Plans to partner with nonprofits, churches, and developers to expand housing and create a 24-hour homeless shelter and transitional housing program.

To improve affordable housing and address homelessness, Barsh suggested affordable and workforce housing projects for families and seniors. He said he would partner with nonprofits, churches and developers to increase housing options, and create a 24-hour homeless shelter and a transitional housing program.

Housing & Urban Development

01

Public Safety

& Crime Reduction

* Reduce gun violence and gang activity with community policing and neighborhood watch programs.

Plans youth outreach, mentoring, and after-school programs to prevent crime.

To help stop crime and gun violence in LaGrange, Barsh said he would reduce gun violence and gang activity through community policing and neighborhood watch programs, invest in youth outreach, mentorship, and after-school programs to stop crime before it starts, and expand the use of modern technology, such as cameras, license plate readers and data-driven policing.

Plans to expand the use of cameras, license plate readers, and policing based on crime data.

Calls for a task force to work with the police chief to protect District 2 neighborhoods and youth.

Barsh also spoke out against data centers, saying there should be none in LaGrange and calling for more transparency and monthly townhall meetings. Barsh additionally called for a taskforce to work with the police chief to secure neighborhoods and the youth in District 2, along with holding leaders accountable to safeguard all citizens.

Proposes community policing and neighborhood watch programs to reduce gun violence and gang activity.

- Proposes community policing and neighborhood watch programs to reduce gun violence and gang activity.

Public Safety

Plans to improve roads, sidewalks, lighting, public parks, neighborhood revitalization, and citywide broadband access.

For infrastructure priorities, Barsh said he would improve roads, sidewalks, lighting and public parks, revitalize neighborhoods such as the Hamilton Road corridor and Calumet, and expand broadband internet access across the city. “I know the challenges we face, and I am prepared to lead,” Barsh said, noting he has built strong relationships with city leaders over the past seven years.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Debra Wooten Ashley

Kalitha Reynolds

Mikquez Berry

Nathan Gaskin

Rollo Milton

Shavaskey Brown

Tabitha Lewis

- 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. 

Passes laws and regulations for your city.