Georgia voters will have a chance to shape the future of their state during this election year, with an open seat for governor highlighting the races on the 2026 ballot, with the first votes to be cast for the May 19 primaries.
Republican Governor Brian Kemp is term-limited. Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic primary for governor on May 19, with Rick Jackson and Burt Jones finishing at the top of the Republican primary and advancing to the June 16 runoff. But the race for governor is far from the only statewide race gaining attention: Republicans are lining up for the chance to run for the U.S. Senate in November, and challenge Democrat Jon Ossoff.
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While many primaries were decided on May 19, there were some races where no candidate got more than 50% of the vote, forcing a runoff on June 16 between the top two candidates.
All Pierce County primary races were decided on May 19, and no primary run-offs were required.
Pierce County Commission - Chairman
The incumbent, Neal Bennett, is seeking re-election, and won the Republican primary. No Democrats qualified for this race. Unlike the other two commission races, this is a county-wide election.
| REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE |
- Neal Bennett - Retired
Pierce County Commission - District 2
The incumbent, Graham Raley, is not seeking re-election. Jason Christmas won the Republican primary. No Democrats qualified for this race. This race only appears on the ballots of voters in District 2.
| REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE |
- Jason Christmas - Retail store manager
Pierce County Commission - District 4
Incumbent David Lowman sought re-election, but lost to Austin Moore in the Republican primary. No Democrats qualified for this race. This race only appears on the ballots of voters in District 4.
| REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE |
- Austin Moore - Sales
Read about the rest of the races in the primary in our 2026 Georgia Voter’s Guide.