As the critical Nov. 8 midterm election approaches, Georgians have one more chance to weigh in on the Democratic and Republican candidates in key races.
Monday kicks off a week of early voting for each party’s primary runoffs in the statewide races for lieutenant governor, secretary of state, labor commissioner and insurance commissioner, plus several congressional seats and other local match-ups. The runoffs pit the top two vote-getters against each other in races where no candidate won a majority in the Democratic and Republican primaries held on May 24.
Here’s everything you need to know to breeze through runoff voting:
KEY PRIMARY RUNOFF DATES:
Last day to request an absentee ballot: Friday, June 10. Request a ballot here.
Advance voting: June 13-17
Election Day: Tuesday, June 21
Not registered to vote? You must be registered 30 days in advance of an election, so it’s too late for new voters to register for the June 21 primary runoff–but go ahead and register for Nov. 8 here.
Where do I vote? Find out here.
THE CANDIDATES FACE-OFF:
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR (Democratic)
Charlie Bailey
Primary vote percentage: 17.6%
Occupation: Attorney
Why I’m running: Better access to healthcare for working Georgians by expanding Medicaid. Reduce class sizes. Pay teachers and law enforcement officers more.
Website: charlieforgeorgia.com
Kwanza Hall
Primary vote percentage: 30.2%
Occupation: Former Atlanta city councilperson and U.S. congress member
Why I’m running: Protect teachers and education. Reopen medical facilities in areas where they’ve closed. Affordable housing.
Website: kwanzahall.com
The winner will face Republican state senator Burt Jones on Nov. 8.
SECRETARY OF STATE (Democratic)
Dee Dawkins-Haigler
Primary vote percentage: 18.7%
Occupation: Former state representative
Why I’m running: Critic of Georgia’s new election integrity law. Champions voting rights, small business owners and professionals.
Website: deeforgeorgia.com
Bee Nguyen
Primary vote percentage: 44.3%
Occupation: State representative
Why I’m running: Critic of Georgia’s new election integrity law. Champions voting rights. Wants to ensure the Secretary of State’s office works with all counties to provide adequate training and resources to run efficient elections. Ensure election and voting information is translated into multiple languages.
Website: beeforgeorgia.com
The winner will face the incumbent, Republican Brad Raffensperger, on Nov. 8.
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER (Democratic)
Janice Laws Robinson
Primary vote percentage: 48.7%
Occupation: Insurance industry veteran
Why I’m running: To fight for affordable premiums. Hold insurance companies accountable. Modernize the state insurance department. Ensure safety in schools and communities.
Website: janiceforgeorgia.com
Raphael Baker
Primary vote percentage: 33.1%
Occupation: Insurance industry veteran, business owner
Why I’m running: Wants “affordable, viable healthcare solutions” and “equitable insurance rates for all Georgians.” For auto insurance, wants “proper risk segmentation to stop good drivers from being penalized and stabilize rates for safe drivers.”
Website: raphaelbakerforgeorgia.com
The winner will face Republican John King on Nov. 8.
LABOR COMMISSIONER (Democratic)
William “Will” Boddie Jr.
Primary vote percentage: 27.7%
Occupation: Attorney and state representative for GA House District 62
Why I’m running: Re-open state unemployment offices that have been closed during the pandemic. Provide vocational training and apprenticeships for young people. Stand with unions for jobs that pay a more livable wage with safer working conditions. Overhaul labor department to ensure small businesses can fill jobs and connect with job seekers and veterans.
Website: boddieforga.com
Nicole Horn
Primary vote percentage: 25.1%
Occupation: Jobs have included Waffle House waitress, corporate executive, TV reporter and business owner.
Why I’m running: Improve unemployment benefit disbursement. Create mobile career centers. Start apprenticeship programs. Establish regional labor boards. Tackle systemic job discrimination. Reduce prison recidivism through job creation.
Website: nicolehornforgeorgia.com
The winner will face Republican Bruce Thompson on Nov. 8.
U.S. HOUSE, DISTRICT 6 (Republican)
Jake Evans
Primary vote percentages: 23%
Occupation: Attorney, former State Ethics Commission chair
Why I’m running: Opposes abortion, except when a woman’s life is in jeopardy. Supports 2nd Amendment and law enforcement. Wants closed primaries for voters. Advocates disbanding the U.S. Senate’s Jan. 6 commission probing the 2021 U.S. Capitol attack.
Website: jakeevans.org
Rich McCormick
Primary vote percentages: 43.1%
Occupation: Emergency room physician and former Marine pilot
Why I’m running: Opposes abortion. Supports 2nd Amendment. Wants pharmaceutical reforms.
Website: www.richmccormick.us
The winner will face Democrat Bob Christian on Nov. 8
U.S HOUSE, DISTRICT 10 (Democrats)
Jessica Fore
Primary vote percentage: 19.3%
Occupation: realtor
Why I’m running: Voting rights. Living wages. Universal healthcare. Tax reform with a multi-tiered top marginal rate that links the lower-tier rates to creating living-wage jobs. Common-sense gun laws.
Website: jessicaforega.com
Tabitha Johnson-Green
Primary vote percentage: 42%
Occupation: Registered nurse
Why I’m running: Affordable healthcare.more affordable, Outlaw discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. Free public college. Renewable energy instead of fossil fuels. Modernize U.S. power grid.
Website: tabithaforcongress.com
The winner will face the Republican runoff winner for House District 10.
U.S. HOUSE, DISTRICT 10 (Republican)
Mike Collins
Primary vote percentage: 25.6%
Occupation: Trucking executive
Why I’m running: Opposes abortion. Supports 2nd Amendment. Overhaul Washington, D.C. Create jobs.
Website: mikecollinsga.com
Vernon Jones
Primary vote percentage: 21.5%
Occupation: Former DeKalb County CEO and state house representative
Why I’m running: Opposes abortion. Supports 2nd Amendment. Close Mexican border. Increase funding for police and first responders. Replace federal income tax with a 23% federal retail tax via “Fair Tax.”
Website: jonesforga.com
The winner will face the Democratic runoff winner for House District 10.
Want to know more about the candidates? Check out the Atlanta Press Club’s Loudermilk Young Debate Series here or here.
For more information about runoff elections, contact your county Registrar’s Office.
What about the JUDGE and BOARD OF DEUCATION candidates? NEVER ENOUGH INFORMATION ON ALL CANDIDATES RUNNING. WHY IS THIS SITE SO HIDDEN FROM THE PUBLIC? A NIGHTMARE TO FIND ANYTHING ABOUT THE CANDIDATES RUNNING!
I agree. It is nightmare to find information regarding political candidates in Georgia. Who can I contact in regards to this matter?
If you’re having trouble figuring out who/what is on the ballot, you might check out Ballotpedia. https://ballotpedia.org/Main_Page