2026 Georgia General Election

2026 Georgia Primary Election

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Republican

2026 Georgia Primary Runoff

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Branson Wright lives in Georgia. He has a bachelor's degree in psychology and biology from Auburn University and earned a master’s degree in divinity and ministry from Luther Rice College and Seminary.

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Branson ran for election to the Georgia State Senate in 2014 but did not win.

Branson currently serves as a captain in the U.S. Army. He has experience in ministry and community outreach work.

As of March 11, 2026, Branson C Wright did not have a website or any information online.

Economy

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Branson C Wright

Branson Wright lives in Georgia. He studied psychology and biology at Auburn University and earned a master’s degree in divinity and ministry from Luther Rice College and Seminary.

Branson Wright ran for election to the Georgia State Senate in 2014 but did not appear on the general election ballot.

Alejandra Gracias

Isaac Brickman

Matthew Tomas

Pavel Tantchev

Buket Urgen

Cathy Cook is originally from Columbus, Georgia. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from Meharry Medical College. 

Cathy's campaign for Columbus, Georgia, City Council Member is her first run for public office. 

Cathy currently works as the chief executive officer and dentist at Cook Dental Care, PC. She served as a dental officer in the U.S. Army Dental Corps for five years. 

Supports policies that promote economic opportunity in Columbus.

- Supports policies that promote economic opportunity in Columbus.

Supports increased investment in public health and prevention programs.

Supports transparency and accountability in local government.

- Supports increased investment in public health and prevention programs.
- Supports transparency and accountability in local government.

As of March 11, 2026, Cathy Laverne Cook’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports community-based approaches to improving public safety.

- Supports community-based approaches to improving public safety.

Cathy Laverne Cook

Cathy currently works as the chief executive officer and dentist at Cook Dental Care, PC. She served as a Dental Officer in the U.S. Army Dental Corps for five years. 

Emileigh Crouch

John Anker earned his bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing from the Georgia Southern University Parker College of Business. 

John Anker breaks tradition, files to run for citywide Columbus Council seat

John currently serves as a City Council Member, District 9, in Columbus, Georgia. He was appointed in 2025. He previously ran for City Council Member, District 9, in 2024 and Mayor of the City of Columbus, Georgia in 2022, but did not win. 

John currently works as the president of Ankerpak, a logistics company. He previously worked in sales at Wilpak and Pratt Industries. 

As of March 11, 2026, John Anker’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes city government should prioritize safety, infrastructure, accountability, and "responsible growth" that benefits the whole community.

- Believes city government should prioritize safety, infrastructure, accountability, and "responsible growth" that benefits the whole community.

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John Anker

John Anker is from Columbus, Georgia. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing from the Georgia Southern University Parker College of Business. 

Joh currently works as the president of Ankerpak, a logistics company. He previously worked in sales at Wilpak and Pratt Industries. 

As of March 11, 2026, John Anker did not have a website or any information online.

Candidate website

John Donald van Doorn is a member of First Presbyterian Church.

John's campaign for city council member is his first run for public office. 

Plans to seek outside grants and micro-loans for small businesses to thrive.

Seeks to use outside funding as an alternative to additional local taxes "to help families save money."

- Plans to seek outside grants and micro-loans for small businesses to thrive.
- Seeks to use outside funding as an alternative to additional local taxes "to help families save money."

Believes in transparency and open government, stating to be against "private deals."

Seeks to bring sortition to Columbus, a public lottery that selects everyday citizens to serve on an overhaul committee.

Wants to update the City Charter so the council runs more fairly.

Seeks to bring openness and clarity to the process for filling vacancies and approving big taxpayer projects.

Wants to improve health and access to food by "cutting red tape" so fresh food vendors "can thrive."

Wants to bring public squares with green communal grocers, small restaurants, and services to everyone in Columbus.

- Believes in transparency and open government, stating to be against "private deals."
- Seeks to bring sortition to Columbus, a public lottery that selects everyday citizens to serve on an overhaul committee.
- Wants to update the City Charter so the council runs more fairly.
- Seeks to bring openness and clarity to the process for filling vacancies and approving big taxpayer projects.
- Wants to improve health and access to food by "cutting red tape" so fresh food vendors "can thrive."
- Wants to bring public squares with green communal grocers, small restaurants, and services to everyone in Columbus.

As of March 11, 2026, John Donald van Doorn’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Seeks to bring utility bills down by supporting renewable energy like rooftop solar, better insulation, and net metering.

- Seeks to bring utility bills down by supporting renewable energy like rooftop solar, better insulation, and net metering.

John Donald van Doorn

Rocky Marsh is originally from Mobile, Alabama. He earned his bachelor's degree in human resources management and services, his Master of Education, and his Doctor of Education from Trident University International. He lives with his wife, Delois in Columbus, Georgia. 

Rocky previously ran for Columbus, Georgia City Council, District 10, but did not win. 

Rocky is the owner of Fountain City Parade Float Rentals. He previously worked as a union steward for the American Federation of Government Employees, a Department of Labor employment workshop facilitator at GBX Consultants, and a mobile training team career counselor at Serco. He served as an air traffic controller in the U.S. Army for 20 years.

As of March 11, 2026, Rocky Roy Marsh’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports law enforcement and their families.

- Supports law enforcement and their families.

Advocates for strengthening municipal services to keep the community safe.

- Advocates for strengthening municipal services to keep the community safe.

Twitter

Rocky Roy Marsh

- Advocated for strengthening municipal services to keep the community safe.
- Supports law enforcement and their families.

Rocky is the owner of Fountain City Parade Float Rentals. He previously worked as a union steward for the American Federation of Government Employees, a Department of Labor employment workshop facilitator at GBX Consultants, and a mobile training team career counselor at Serco. He served as an Air Traffic Controller in the U.S. Army for 20 years. 

- 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.

Columbus City Council Member

Election results

Runoff election

Candidates (5)