2026 Georgia Primary Election

Democrat

Nonpartisan

Republican

2026 Georgia Primary Runoff

Chuck Payne served four years (1984-1988) in the United States Army and the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Angie Sellers, and they were married in January of 1988. Chuck and Angie returned to Georgia in 1988 and chose Dalton as their home. In that same year, Chuck began his 30-year career of service to troubled youth and their families with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. Chuck and Angie have two children together.

Chuck Payne served four years in the United States Army.

Chuck is retired. He previously worked for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice for 30 years. He also served four years in the United States Army and the 82nd Airborne Division.

Chuck is currently a state senator representing Georgia's 54th district. He was first elected in 2017.

Supports keeping taxes low to foster economic growth, encourage investment, and empower citizens, while advocating for responsible fiscal policies that ensure effective use of government resources.

- Supports keeping taxes low to foster economic growth, encourage investment, and empower citizens, while advocating for responsible fiscal policies that ensure effective use of government resources.

Economy

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

Energy & the Environment

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Supports a balanced approach to juvenile justice that holds young people accountable while emphasizing rehabilitation through education, mental health services, and community support to reduce recidivism and promote positive development.

- Supports a balanced approach to juvenile justice that holds young people accountable while emphasizing rehabilitation through education, mental health services, and community support to reduce recidivism and promote positive development.

Public Safety

Supports access to safe, well-funded schools, highly trained teachers, technology integration, and education reforms that promote equity and close achievement gaps.

- Supports access to safe, well-funded schools, highly trained teachers, technology integration, and education reforms that promote equity and close achievement gaps.

Education

Chuck Payne

Jennifer Pike

Mauricio Mendez

Walter Ley

Eddie Travis Hall is from Dalton, Georgia. He attended Valley Point Elementary School, Resaca Elementary School, Gordon County Middle School, and Calhoun High School. He attended Dalton State and majored in history and business. He lives in Calhoun, Georgia.

Eddie is a dealer support specialist. He works at YANMAR America, an international agricultural equipment company based in Japan, where he serves dealers in the Rural Lifestyles Division. He previously worked for and owned businesses in the sportswear industry.

Eddie Travis Hall's campaign for Georgia State Senate District 54 is his first run for public office.

Eddie's campaign for Georgia State Senate District 54 is his first run for public office.

Opposes property tax, saying it is "killing our communities and making housing unaffordable to the average worker."

Believes farmers, especially cattle farmers, face undue competition from "outside sources supported by our state and federal governments."

- Opposes property tax, saying it is "killing our communities and making housing unaffordable to the average worker."
- Believes farmers, especially cattle farmers, face undue competition from "outside sources supported by our state and federal governments."

Supports holding those who knowingly pollute the environment accountable.

- Supports holding those who knowingly pollute the environment accountable.

As of March 11, 2026, Eddie Travis Hall’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Facebook

Eddie Travis Hall

James Martin Brown has lived in Whitfield County, Georgia, since 1984. He earned his associate degree in marketing from Dalton State College.

James currently owns and operates Boats and Motors of Dalton. He previously spent a decade working as a purchasing agent and inventory controller at Freightliner of Chattanooga.

Advocates for protecting farmers from federal mandates and supporting local small businesses.

Wants to improve infrastructure to link rural communities to economic opportunities and eliminate wasteful government spending.

- Advocates for protecting farmers from federal mandates and supporting local small businesses.
- Wants to improve infrastructure to link rural communities to economic opportunities and eliminate wasteful government spending.

As of March 11, 2026, James Martin Brown’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Proposes giving first responders access to veterans' healthcare programs for PTSD and job-related disabilities.

- Proposes giving first responders access to veterans' healthcare programs for PTSD and job-related disabilities.

Supports strong border enforcement to stop illegal crossings, drug trafficking, and rising crime.

- Supports strong border enforcement to stop illegal crossings, drug trafficking, and rising crime.

Supports parental rights and demands full transparency in school curricula and policies.

- Supports parental rights and demands full transparency in school curricula and policies.

James Martin Brown

- Your state senator represents the interests of your district in the Georgia State Senate.
- Your state senator can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws after going through the legislative process. 
- State Senators are involved in approving some appointments by the Governor.
- The State Senate, along with the State House of Representatives, makes up our state lawmaking body: the Georgia General Assembly.
- There are 56 Georgia senators, each representing a single district.
- State Senators are elected to two-year terms. They are paid a yearly salary of $17,342.

Your representative and state lawmaker in the Georgia Senate

Georgia State Senator, District 54, Republican Primary

Election results

Candidates (3)