2026 Georgia Primary Election

Democrat

Nonpartisan

Republican

2026 Georgia Primary Runoff

Dr. Anton Anthony has a bachelor s degree in business management from Fort Valley State University, a master s degree in teaching from Augusta State University, a specialist in curriculum and instruction from Augusta University, a doctorate in theology from North Central Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in biblical studies from North Central Theological Seminary. He is a husband, father, and ordained pastor.

Anton Anthony has a bachelor's degree in business management from Fort Valley State University, a master's degree in teaching from Augusta State University, and a doctorate in theology from North Central Theological Seminary. He is a husband, father, and ordained pastor.

Dr. Anton Anthony is the current superintendent of Hancock County Schools. He is also an ordained pastor and author.

Anton is the current superintendent of Hancock County Schools. He is also an ordained pastor and author.

Dr. Anton is currently the Superintendent of Hancock County Schools.

Anton's campaign for state school superintendent is his first run for public office. 

Said, "Instead of training students solely for existing jobs, we should be developing innovators and problem-solvers who can create the next big career fields right here in Georgia. By expanding CTAE programs, entrepreneurship education, and hands-on innovation labs, we can prepare students to provide valuable services to the world through creativity and invention."

Seeks to expand CTAE programs, entrepreneurship education, and hands-on innovation labs to prepare students to be able to provide valuable services through creativity and invention.

- Seeks to expand CTAE programs, entrepreneurship education, and hands-on innovation labs to prepare students to be able to provide valuable services through creativity and invention.

School Curriculum

Said, "Many of Georgia’s educational systems are decades out of date. From outdated operational processes to inflexible classroom models, too much energy is spent maintaining old ways instead of building better ones. We need systems built for speed, adaptability, and results so teachers can teach and students can thrive."

Supports modernizing educational systems so they are faster, more adaptable, and produce better results so teachers and students can thrive. 

- Supports modernizing educational systems so they are faster, more adaptable, and produce better results so teachers and students can thrive. 

School Facilities & Resources

Said, "Safety is the foundation of learning. Every school must be a place where students feel secure, supported, and motivated. That includes not only physical safety but also mental health supports, positive school culture, and programs that build character and resilience."

Seeks to provide physical safety, mental health support, positive school culture, and programs that build character and resilience in schools. 

- Seeks to provide physical safety, mental health support, positive school culture, and programs that build character and resilience in schools. 

Student Wellbeing

Said, "We cannot expect great results without equipping those on the front lines. That means competitive pay, ongoing training, creative freedom, and strong support systems for teachers, principals, and support staff. When we invest in educators, we invest in our children’s success."

Supports competitive pay, ongoing training, creative freedom, and strong support systems for teachers, principals, and support staff. 

- Supports competitive pay, ongoing training, creative freedom, and strong support systems for teachers, principals, and support staff. 

Teachers

Said, "Where a student lives should not determine the opportunities they receive. Whether in a rural town or a major city, every child in Georgia deserves access to world-class instruction, modern technology, career pathways, and extracurricular opportunities that open doors to the future."

Believes every child in Georgia deserves access to world-class instruction, modern technology, career pathways, and extracurricular opportunities regardless of their location. 

- Believes every child in Georgia deserves access to world-class instruction, modern technology, career pathways, and extracurricular opportunities regardless of their location. 

Access to Education

Facebook

Center for Strong Public Schools

Endorsed by the Georgia Association of Educators.

Endorsed by the Center for Strong Public Schools.

Endorsed by public school secretary Natasha Mapp.

Endorsed by Atlanta's Director of Environmental Services Tyrone Jackson.

Endorsed by teachers Samantha Williams, Tyanda Ingram, Dee Riley-Savariau, Barbara Marie-Poindexter, and Honnette Cobb.

Endorsed by Georgia State Superintendent of Schools Kerry Bernard Smith.

- Endorsed by the Georgia Association of Educators.
- Endorsed by the Center for Strong Public Schools.
- Endorsed by public school secretary Natasha Mapp.
- Endorsed by Atlanta's Director of Environmental Services Tyrone Jackson.
- Endorsed by teachers Samantha Williams, Tyanda Ingram, Dee Riley-Savariau, Barbara Marie-Poindexter, and Honnette Cobb.
- Endorsed by Georgia State Superintendent of Schools Kerry Bernard Smith.

Endorsements

Anton Anthony

- Endorsed by the Georgia Association of Educators.
- Endorsed by the Center for Strong Public Schools.
- Endorsed by Natasha Mapp.
- Endorsed by Tyrone Jackson.
- Endorsed by Samantha Williams.
- Endorsed by Tyanda Ingram.
- Endorsed by Kerry Bernard Smith.
- Endorsed by Dee Riley-Savariau.
- Endorsed by Barbara Marie-Poindexter.
- Endorsed by Honnette Cobb.

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

Rafael Perez

Alejandra Gracias

Buket Urgen

LinkedIn

Lydia Catalina Powell has a bachelor's degree in political science education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, a master's degree in education and teaching individuals with emotional disturbances from Florida State University, and a PhD in educational leadership and administration from the University of Sarasota. 

Twitter

Lydia currently works as an administrator, educational diversity trainer, and assistant principal. 

Supports expanding connectivity and access to advanced coursework for rural communities.

Supports replacing standardized tests with professional respect and smart assessment practices.

- Supports expanding connectivity and access to advanced coursework for rural communities.
- Supports replacing standardized tests with professional respect and smart assessment practices.

Supports strengthening partnerships with social services, the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFACS), and school resource officers to address children needs.

- Supports strengthening partnerships with social services, the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFACS), and school resource officers to address children needs.

Prioritizes student and educator mental health and wellness through statewide standards for funding and support.

- Prioritizes student and educator mental health and wellness through statewide standards for funding and support.

Believes teachers deserve trust, support, and training that helps them focus on learning, not just test preparation.

- Believes teachers deserve trust, support, and training that helps them focus on learning, not just test preparation.

Supports universal preschool and early learning.

- Supports universal preschool and early learning.

Georgia Voter Guide

Gun Sense Voter

Instagram

Lydia Powell

Lydia Catalina Powell

As of March 11, 2026, Lydia Catalina Powell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Otha Thornton is an executive and educator. He previously worked as an assistant professor at Michigan Technological University, a communications instructor at Athens Technical College, and a world history teacher in the District of Columbia Public Schools. He also served in the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel. 

Seeks to invest in technology, arts, and vocational programs.

- Seeks to invest in technology, arts, and vocational programs.

Supports updating Georgia's Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula to fund wraparound services such as nutrition, counseling, mental health, medical care, and family support.

Seeks to work directly with state agency leaders to coordinate services that reduce poverty and provide rural and urban schools with new resources.

Seeks to expand partnerships with nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and local businesses to deliver support.

Plans on addressing absenteeism by ensuring families have access to reliable transportation, healthcare, and after-school support.

Wants to build grassroots advisory groups of teachers, parents, students, and business leaders across Georgia to ensure every community's voice is heard.

Seeks to increase tax incentives and classroom budgets to address funding issues.

- Supports updating Georgia's Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula to fund wraparound services such as nutrition, counseling, mental health, medical care, and family support.
- Seeks to work directly with state agency leaders to coordinate services that reduce poverty and provide rural and urban schools with new resources.
- Seeks to expand partnerships with nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and local businesses to deliver support.
- Plans on addressing absenteeism by ensuring families have access to reliable transportation, healthcare, and after-school support.
- Wants to build grassroots advisory groups of teachers, parents, students, and business leaders across Georgia to ensure every community's voice is heard.
- Seeks to increase tax incentives and classroom budgets to address funding issues.

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

Seeks to "restore teacher authority and freedom by cutting burdensome red tape and opposing one-size-fits-all mandates that hamper their ability to teach effectively."

Prioritizes higher pay and loan forgiveness for teachers .

- Seeks to "restore teacher authority and freedom by cutting burdensome red tape and opposing one-size-fits-all mandates that hamper their ability to teach effectively."
- Prioritizes higher pay and loan forgiveness for teachers .

Georgia NOW

UFCW 1996

Endorsed by the Georgia National Organization of Women.

- Endorsed by the Georgia National Organization of Women.
- Endorsed by UFCW Local 1996.

Otha Thornton

Isaac Brickman

- The State School Superintendent is the Administrative Head of the Georgia Department of Education. They are responsible for putting into action the policies and regulations that come out of the State Board of Education for Georgia’s K-12 public education system. 
- The State School Superintendent provides guidance to the State Board of Education and local school boards on how to comply with new state education laws, such as changes in funding or new curriculum requirements.
- The State School Superintendent can make recommendations to the State Board of Education, a board of 13 members who are all appointed by the Governor and set policies for the public school system.
- The State School Superintendent is elected statewide. They serve four year terms.

The administrative head of Georgia’s K-12 public education system

Georgia State School Superintendent, Democratic Primary

Election results

Candidates (3)