2026 Georgia Primary Election

Democrat

Nonpartisan

Republican

2026 Georgia Primary Runoff

Alison and her husband, Chad, have been married for 20 years and are proud parents to Ryan, 15, and Katie Bek, 9.

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Alison Couch has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in accounting from the Parker College of Business at Georgia Southern University. She and her husband, Chad, have two children and live in the Greater Augusta Area.

Alison is a business owner and an accountant. She runs an accounting practice in Columbia County. 

Alison is an accountant. She currently owns Ignite, a tax service provider. Before that, Alison was the manager at the Cleveland Group and a staff accountant at Carmichael, Clay & Barrs, LLC.

Alison is currently the District 4 Commissioner for Columbia County. She has served in this role for over two years.

Alison Couch (Columbia County)

Alison currently represents District 4 on the Columbia County Board of Commissioners. She was first elected in 2022.

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

Public Services

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Has voted to lower the county millage rate three straight years.

Supported the passage of HB 808, which raised the exemption on business assets subject to property tax.

Has testified before the House Ways and Means Committee to maintain the 20% small business tax deduction.

- Plans to reduce taxes.
- Has voted to lower the county millage rate three straight years.
- Supported the passage of HB 808, which raised the exemption on business assets subject to property tax.
- Has testified before the House Ways and Means Committee to maintain the 20% small business tax deduction.

Economy

Says she has "Protected Columbia County kids from inappropriate books."

- Says she has "Protected Columbia County kids from inappropriate books."

Education

As commissioner, has opposed "aggressive panhandling."

- As commissioner, has opposed "aggressive panhandling."

Public Safety

Only supports the construction of data centers inside established industrial parks, if full infrastructure costs are covered, and where water and power usage is sustainable.

Voted against the construction of the approved data center in Pumpkin and the disapproved data center in Byrd.

As commissioner, has "Zero approval votes for apartment units to be built in Columbia County."

- Only supports the construction of data centers inside established industrial parks, if full infrastructure costs are covered, and where water and power usage is sustainable.
- Voted against the construction of the approved data center in Pumpkin and the disapproved data center in Byrd.
- As commissioner, has "Zero approval votes for apartment units to be built in Columbia County."

Housing & Urban Development

Supports collaboration with local, state, and federal levels to address transportation issues.

Has successfully supported adding new red lights and intersection improvements, and moving the "deadly Hwy 221/N Fairview intersection location."

- Supports collaboration with local, state, and federal levels to address transportation issues.
- Has successfully supported adding new red lights and intersection improvements, and moving the "deadly Hwy 221/N Fairview intersection location."

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Alison Couch

Alison Couch lives in the Greater Augusta Area. She has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in accounting from Georgia Southern University. She and her husband, Chad, have a son and a daughter.

Alison is an accountant. She currently owns Ignite, a tax service provider. Before that, she was manager at the Cleveland Group and staff accountant at Carmichael, Clay & Barrs, LLC.

Jennifer Pike

Rafael Perez

Sam Scruby

Buket Urgen

Public Notice: Mayor Gary Jones Resigns to Run for Different Office

Gary served previously as mayor of the City of Grovetown. He was elected in 2015 and served until 2026.

Gary is retired. He previously worked in law enforcement and served as chief of police.

As of March 11, 2026, Gary E Jones’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Gary Jones interview

Opposes consolidation of Columbia County with other counties.

- Opposes consolidation of Columbia County with other counties.

Gary E Jones

Gary is retired. He worked in law enforcement and served as chief of police for part of his career.

As of March 11, 2026, Gary E Jones did not have a website or any information online.

Gary served previously as Mayor of the City of Grovetown. He was elected in 2015 and served until 2026.

Gary is retired.  He worked in law enforcement for 37 years, and served as Chief of Police for part of his career.

Matthew Tomas

Janice Barbee

- County Commission Chairs oversee the Board of County Commissioners, which create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- The County Commission Chair is specifically responsible for preparing the county budget, which must be passed by the rest of the County Commissioners. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commission Chairs have additional executive duties including coordinating with the office of the Mayor for your county, appointing Commissioners to committees, and representing your county at official functions.
- County Commission Chairs are elected to 4-year terms in county-wide elections.

Acts as the head of your county's governing board.

Columbia County Commission Chair, Republican Primary

Election results

Candidates (2)