2022 Georgia state elections
Several elections are planned to take place in the U.S. state of Georgia in 2022. The general election will be held on November 8, 2022, with runoffs to be held at a later date for those races which are not yet decided by majority vote. All of Georgia's executive officers and legislative seats, as well as one seat on the Georgia Public Service Commission, will be up for election as well as one of Georgia's seats in the United States Senate and all of Georgia's seats in the United States House of Representatives.
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| Elections in Georgia |
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This will be the first election following the 2020 United States redistricting cycle.
Federal offices
United States House of Representatives
Following the 2020 election, Democrats held their largest share of Georgia congressional seats since 2008 (and largest in the post-2010 redistricting cycle), with the gain of the 7th district by Carolyn Bourdeaux. In addition, the number of women representing Georgia grew from 1 to 4 with the re-election of Democrat Lucy McBath and the elections of Democrats Bordeaux, Nikema Williams and Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, resulting in the first Georgia delegation with more than one woman in membership.
United States Senate
Incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock won the 2020–2021 special election against incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler to fill the remainder of former Sen. Johnny Isakson's term. (Isakson had resigned at the end of 2019, and Loeffler was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp following Isakson's resignation.) No candidate in the open election on November 3 received the 50% required by Georgia law to avoid a runoff, a type of election colloquially known as a "jungle primary"[1]—Warnock received just 32.9% of the vote—and so a runoff election between Warnock and Loeffler was held on January 5, 2021, which Warnock won with 51% of the vote.
Former Republican senator David Perdue, who lost his race to Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff in 2021, filed paperwork to run for this seat.[2] A week after filing the paperwork, however, Perdue announced that he would not pursue another race for the Senate.[3] Loeffler is considering running again, while former U.S. Representative Doug Collins declined to run after heavy speculation that he would enter the race.[4][5] Herschel Walker, a professional football player, announced in August 2021 that he would join the Republican primary.[6]
Governor
Governor Brian Kemp was elected in 2018 with 50.2% of the vote. He is running for re-election,[7] facing primary challenges from former U.S. Senator David Perdue[8] and several other candidates.
Stacey Abrams, former minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives and Democratic nominee for governor in 2018, is running for the Democratic nomination.[9]
Lieutenant Governor
Republican incumbent Geoff Duncan has declined to run for a second term.[10] Republican State Senators Butch Miller[11] and Burt Jones[12] have declared their candidacy, as well as Republican activist Jeanne Seaver.[13]
Democratic State Representatives Erick Allen,[14][15] Derrick Jackson,[16] and Renitta Shannon[17] have all declared their candidacy, as well as Charlie Bailey, the 2018 Democratic nominee for Georgia Attorney General.[18]
Secretary of State
Incumbent Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is running for re-election,[19] facing primary challenges from Republican Congressman Jody Hice[20] and former Alpharetta mayor David Belle Isle.[21]
State Representative Bee Nguyen,[22] former Cobb County Democratic Party Chairman, Dr. Michael Owens,[23] former Darton State College professor Manswell Peterson (withdrawn),[24] and former Fulton County Commission Chair John Eaves, [25] and former Georgia State Senator and Mayor of Milledgeville Floyd L. Griffin Jr.[26] and have declared their candidacies for the Democratic nomination.
Attorney General
Republican incumbent Attorney General Chris Carr is running for re-election.[27]
State Senator Jen Jordan is running for the Democratic nomination.[28] Charlie Bailey, former Fulton County Senior Assistant District Attorney and 2018 Democratic nominee for Attorney General, withdrew as a candidate in this race to run for Lieutenant Governor.[29][30]
Labor Commissioner
Incumbent Republican Mark Butler is eligible to seek a fourth term in office, but chose to retire.
Declared
- Kartik Bhatt, consumer-member of the Georgia Board of Examiners for the Certification of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Laboratory Analysts[31]
- Mike Coan, former state representative[32]
- Bruce Thompson, state senator[33][34]
Declined
- Mark Butler, incumbent labor commissioner[33][34]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[lower-alpha 1] |
Margin of error |
Kartik Bhatt |
Mike Coan |
Bruce Thompson |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landmark Communications (R) | April 9–10, 2022 | 660 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 4% | 6% | 13% | 77% |
Declared
State Superintendent of Schools
Incumbent Republican superintendent Richard Woods is seeking a third term in office.
Declared
- John Barge, former superintendent, candidate for Governor of Georgia in 2014, candidate for superintendent in 2018, and candidate for U.S. House in 2020[41]
- Richard Woods, incumbent superintendent[42]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[lower-alpha 1] |
Margin of error |
John Barge |
Richard Woods |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landmark Communications (R) | April 9–10, 2022 | 660 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 17% | 30% | 53% |
Declared
- Jaha Howard, Cobb County school board member[43]
- Currey Hitchens, lawyer[44]
- James Morrow Jr., teacher[44]
- Alisha Thomas Morgan, former state representative and candidate for State School Superintendent in 2014[44]
Withdrew
- Everton Blair, member and former chair of the Gwinnett County school board[45]
Endorsements
- Federal politicians
- Lucy McBath, U.S. Representative for Georgia's 6th congressional district
- State legislators
- Billy Mitchell, state representative
Did not file
- Ken Pullin, former Republican state representative[46]
Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
Incumbent Republican commissioner John King, who was appointed to the position in 2019 after the resignation of Jim Beck, is running for a full term.
Declared
- Ben Cowart, property developer[47]
- John King, incumbent commissioner[48]
- Patrick Witt, former Trump administration official (previously ran for U.S. House)[49]
Endorsements
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States (2017–2021)[47]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[lower-alpha 1] |
Margin of error |
Ben Cowart |
John King |
Patrick Witt |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landmark Communications (R) | April 9–10, 2022 | 660 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 5% | 25% | 6% | 64% |
| University of Georgia | March 20 – April 8, 2022 | ~329 (LV) | ± 5.4% | 10% | 11% | 8% | 71% |
| Clout Research (R)[upper-alpha 1] | March 5–7, 2022 | 599 (LV) | ± 4.0% | – | 31% | 5% | 64% |
Declared
- Raphael Baker, insurance broker[47]
- Janice Laws Robinson, insurance broker[47]
- Matthew Wilson, state representative[50][51]
Endorsements
- State officials
- Roy Barnes, former Governor of Georgia[52]
- Sherry Boston, DeKalb County District Attorney[52]
- State legislators
- Shelly Hutchinson, state representative[52]
- Dewey McClain, state representative[52]
- Bee Nguyen, state representative[52]
- Sam Park, state representative[52]
Agriculture Commissioner
Incumbent Republican commissioner Gary Black is eligible to seek a fourth term in office, but is instead running for U.S. Senate.
Declared
- Tyler Harper, state senator[53]
Declined
- Gary Black, incumbent commissioner (running for U.S. Senate)[54]
Endorsements
- State legislators
- John Albers, state senator[55]
- Jason Anavitarte, state senator[55]
- Brandon Beach, state senator[55]
- Matt Brass, state senator[55]
- Dean Burke, state senator[55]
- Max Burns, state senator[55]
- Bill Cowsert, state senator[55]
- Clint Dixon, state senator[55]
- Greg Dolezal, state senator[55]
- Mike Dugan, majority leader of the Georgia Senate[55]
- Frank Ginn, state senator[55]
- Steve Gooch, state senator[55]
- Russ Goodman, state senator[55]
- Marty Harbin, state senator[55]
- Bo Hatchett, state senator[55]
- Billy Hickman, state senator[55]
- Chuck Hufstetler, state senator[55]
- Burt Jones, state senator[55]
- John Kennedy, state senator[55]
- Kay Kirkpatrick, state senator[55]
- Sheila McNeill, state senator[55]
- Jeff Mullis, state senator[55]
- Chuck Payne, state senator[55]
- Randy Robertson, state senator[55]
- Brian Strickland, state senator[55]
- Carden Summers, state senator[55]
- Lindsey Tippins, state senator[55]
- Ben Watson, state senator[55]
Declared
- Winfred Dukes, state representative[56]
- Nakita Hemingway, cut-flower farmer[57]
- Fred Swann, mushroom farmer and nominee for agriculture commissioner in 2018[58]
Did not file
Endorsements
- Statewide politicians
- State legislators
- Donna McLeod, state representative[57]
- Curt Thompson, former state senator[57]
- Political parties
- Organizations
Declared
- Mollie Beavers, farmer[40]
Public Service Commission
Seat 2
Incumbent Republican Commissioner Tim Echols is running for another term.[60]
Consumer advocate and consultant Patty Durand and Athens-Clarke commissioner Russell Edwards is running for the Democratic nomination.[61][62] Durand's ability to run for the position has been put in jeopardy due to Georgia state Republicans redrawing PSC district maps to exclude her from running against Echols. [63]
Physician Colin McKinney is also running as Libertarian.
Seat 3 (Special)
On July 21, 2021, Republican Fitz Johnson was appointed by Governor Kemp to fill a vacancy. Johnson, now incumbent, will run in a special election to serve the remainder of that term.[64]
Democratic candidates such as energy and equity advocate Chandra Farley, candidate for state representative in 2016 and 2018 Shelia Edwards and Commercial Insurance Agency Owner Missy Moore are running for nomination[65]
General Assembly
All 56 State Senate and 180 State House seats are up for election.
District Attorneys
9 out of 49 judicial circuits will hold elections for district attorney.
Judicial elections
Three seats on the Supreme Court of Georgia will be up for nonpartisan statewide election to succeed justices David Nahmias, Carla W. McMillian and Shawn Ellen LaGrua.
Local elections
During the regular primary, most counties and several consolidated city-county governments will hold nonpartisan elections for mayor, select city council or county commission seats, and select board of education seats, including Columbus, Athens, and Augusta.
Notes
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
- Partisan clients
- Poll conducted for King's campaign
References
- Keenan, Sean (March 20, 2020). "What in the world is a jungle primary, and what's in store for Georgia's?". Atlanta. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
- Bluestein, Greg (February 15, 2021). "Perdue explores Senate comeback bid against Warnock in 2022". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- Arkin, James (February 23, 2021). "Perdue rules out Georgia Senate comeback in 2022". Politico. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- Doug Collins [@RepDougCollins] (April 26, 2021). "I'm announcing today that I will not be a candidate for any office in the next election cycle. Read more" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- Alex Rogers (April 26, 2021). "Trump ally Doug Collins will not run for Georgia Senate or governor in 2022". CNN.
- "Herschel Walker is running for U.S. Senate in Georgia".
- "Gov. Kemp Ready For 2022 Run, Despite Trump's Vow To Campaign Against Him". 90.1 FM WABE. 2021-01-26. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
- "Republican David Perdue plans to run for Georgia governor in 2022". Ajc.com. 2021-12-05. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
- "Stacey Abrams is running for Georgia governor in 2022". Ajc.com. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
- Duncan, Geoff [@GeoffDuncanGA] (May 17, 2021). "Statement from Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan on decision to not seek re-election in 2022. #gapol t.co/VRkqd7P0P2" (Tweet). Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021 – via Twitter.
- "Top Georgia Senate Republican Butch Miller To Run For Lieutenant Governor – WABE". Wabe.org. 25 May 2021. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
- Prabhu, Maya T. "Burt Jones will run for Georgia lieutenant governor". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- https://seaverforltgov.com/
- Allen, Erick [@erickallen] (March 25, 2021). "For all the talk from the GA Lt. Gov. about "Republican 2.0" it looks like his upgrade failed and he's now back to GOP -1.0. We need a Lt. Gov that will fight for Georgians rights and not coward to The Big Lie. #GApol #ImReady" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021 – via Twitter.
- Bali, Rahul [@rahulbali] (March 29, 2021). "ELECTION 2022 UPDATE: Georgia State Representative Erick Allen tells me he has filed paperwork to run for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor. #gapol #gadems #GPBLawmakers t.co/hTXAZR3UbD" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 30, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021 – via Twitter.
- "Georgia 2022: Democratic lawmaker jumps in LG race".
- "Renitta Shannon for Lt. Governor". Renitta Shannon for Lt. Governor. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
- "Democrat Bailey jumps from AG race to LG contest in Georgia".
- "The Jolt: Brad Raffensperger: 'Yes, I'm running again'".
- "Rep. Jody Hice, Who Pushed False Election Conspiracies, Announces Secretary of State Run".
- "Belle Isle running for 'the worst job in politics'".
- Nguyen, Bee [@BeeForGeorgia] (May 4, 2021). "MAY THE FOURTH BEE NGUYENING! I'm excited to announce my campaign to become Georgia's next Secretary of State! My priorities will be access, equity, & efficiency across all divisions. Join me in my fight for free & fair elections: t.co/UmOvd0Mp4m t.co/0hFhWn74B6" (Tweet). Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021 – via Twitter.
- Bluestein, Greg. "Democrat Owens launches bid to be Georgia's top election official". Political Insider (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). Retrieved 2022-03-09.
- "Albany's Manswell Peterson kicks off Georgia secretary of state campaign".
- "Democrat John Eaves Mounts Run for Georgia Secretary of State". Archived from the original on 2021-06-06.
- "Former Milledgeville Mayor Griffin runs for Georgia Secretary of State". 15 September 2021. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
- Bluestein, Greg. "Georgia 2022: AG Chris Carr will run for re-election -- not US Senate". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
- "Jen Jordan is running for attorney general in Georgia".
- Bluestein, Greg. "Democrat Bailey launches 2022 rematch against Georgia AG Carr". Political Insider (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). Retrieved 2022-01-10.
- Bluestein, Greg. "Democrat Bailey jumps from AG race to LG contest in Georgia". Political Insider (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). Retrieved 2022-01-10.
- "GA Labor Commission candidate Kartik Bhatt: I want to ensure that hard-working Georgians are financially independent". November 8, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
- "Start of Georgia qualifying brings big names, a few surprises". Ajc.com. 2022-03-07. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
- "Georgia labor commissioner won't run for a fourth term".
- "Georgia Department of Labor commissioner won't run for re-election". March 2022.
- Prabhu, Maya T. "Some Democratic candidates push campaign platforms through legislation". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- "Candidate Nicole Horn promises more high-paying jobs as Labor commissioner".
- "Savannah Sen. Lester Jackson eyes run for State Labor Commissioner in 2022".
- "Qualified candidates line up to run for office in Georgia". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Associated Press. March 12, 2022. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
- "Candidates - Libertarian Party". My.lp.org. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
- "Qualifying Candidate Information". elections.sos.ga.gov.
- "Roman John Barge Announces run for State School Superintendent". 23 November 2021.
- Richard Woods | Georgia's State School Superintendent - Richard Woods launches re-election campaign for State School Superintendent
- Tagami, Ty. "Cobb school board member Jaha Howard runs for state superintendent". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- Tagami, Ty (March 12, 2022). "Six candidates qualify to run for Georgia school superintendent". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- "Democrat Blair is running for Georgia school superintendent".
- "The Jolt: What three standing ovations say about the state of Georgia politics".
- Papp, Justin (March 15, 2022). "Trump feud with Georgia governor reaches into campaign for insurance commissioner". Roll Call. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- "John King running to remain Georgia insurance commissioner". Associated Press. 20 April 2021.
- Spigolon, Tom (8 March 2022). "Witt quits race for Congress, running for Insurance Commissioner". www.covnews.com. The Covington News. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- "Georgia 2022: Democrat Matthew Wilson launches campaign for insurance commish".
- "Georgia Insurance Commish Candidates Want Different Solutions to Elevator Inspections". 23 February 2022.
- "stephen fowler on Twitter: In endorsement news, Democratic state lawmaker @mwilsonGA (running for Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner) unveils lengthy support list from most of the House Dem caucus, former Gov. Roy Barnes, DeKalb DA Sherry Boston and more".
- "Tyler Harper announces candidacy for Agriculture Commissioner".
- "Republican Gary Black enters Senate race against Raphael Warnock".
- "Ocilla's Tyler Harper garners endorsements from state senators".
- "Winfred Dukes announces plans to seek Agriculture Commissioner office".
- "Farmer Nakita Hemingway to run for Georgia Agriculture Commissioner seat".
- "Democrat moving to Gainesville plans run for agriculture commissioner, wants to ease restrictions on hemp growing".
- "Perdue lags Kemp in fundraising in Georgia governor's race".
- "Team Echols". Twitter.
- "Democrat Patty Durand enters race for Georgia Public Service Commission seat |".
- "Commissioner Russell Edwards Will Run for PSC". 11 March 2022.
- "Kemp names Fitz Johnson to vacant PSC position".
- Molly Samuel [@mollyis] (7 March 2022). "Qualifying week in Georgia. Two candidates are in for PSC District 3, metro Atlanta (though they have to run statewide): Incumbent @FriendsForFitz who was nominated by the Gov. to fill out a term. And energy and equity advocate @ChandraFarley" (Tweet). Retrieved 2022-03-27 – via Twitter.
