Here are the Democratic candidates running statewide and in key metro Atlanta races, plus a brief description of what each office does. Offices are listed in the order they will appear on your ballot. 

For some metro Atlanta races, the Democratic primary can decide who wins the general election — either because no Republican is running or the voter base is so heavily Democratic that only a Democrat will win the general election.

JUMP TO A SECTION

STATEWIDE RACES
LOCAL RACES
DEMOCRATIC PARTY BALLOT QUESTIONS
NONPARTISAN RACES, INCLUDED JUDGES
BUILD YOUR BALLOT TOOL

Statewide races

US Senate

The 100 US Senators — two from each state — decide the federal budget and make laws, in tandem with the US House of Representatives. Senators also vote on the president’s cabinet and federal judiciary picks. 

Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff is running unopposed in the primary. Nothing to do here besides check his name or leave it blank. 

Next up are Georgia offices. Want to know how the governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general affect affordable housing policy? Find out here.

Governor — 7 candidates

As the leader of Georgia’s executive branch, the governor sets the state budget every year, subject to approval by the state legislature, and signs or vetoes bills passed by the legislature. They also can call special legislative sessions outside of the 40-day legislative session that runs from January to April.. 

Democrats will choose between one of seven candidates: 

Lieutenant governor — 3 candidates

As the state’s No. 2 leader, the lieutenant governor takes on the governor’s role if the governor is out of state or incapacitated. Their core responsibility is to preside over the state senate during the annual legislative session, which means they decide which bills make it to the senate floor for a vote. 

Here are the Democratic options: 

Secretary of State — 4 candidates

As the state’s top election official, the secretary of state manages the state’s voting systems, election security, and voter registration, in coordination with all 159 county elections offices. 

The Georgia Secretary of State’s Office also oversees business registrations and professional licensing, and it investigates investment fraud. Here are the options: 

Attorney General — 2 candidates

As the state’s top legal officer, the attorney general defends the state government from lawsuits in state and federal court, which includes challenges to Georgia laws. The attorney general enforces statewide consumer protection laws and can also prosecute crimes like human trafficking, public corruption, and Medicaid fraud.

Here are the Democratic options: 

Agricultural Commissioner— 2 candidates

As the head of the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the agriculture commissioner ensures food safety and inspects fuel pumps. They also regulate and promote Georgia’s farming and timber industry — one of the nation’s largest, with $14.6 billion in sales.

Here are the Democratic options: 

Insurance Commissioner— 5 candidates

Their job is to regulate and set rates for the Georgia insurance industry. They also investigate insurance fraud and serve as the state’s top fire marshal. 

Here are the Democratic options: 

State School Superintendent — 3 candidates

 As the head of the Georgia Department of Education, the state school superintendent manages the state’s K-12 public education system, oversees how state funding is allocated to school districts, and enforces education laws. 

Here are the Democratic options: 

Labor Commissioner — 5 candidates

  Here’s our explainer on what the head of the Georgia Department of Labor does.

And here are the Democratic options: 

Public Service Commissioner — 2 seats, 4 candidates

This five-member commission regulates Georgia Power and other statewide utilities, which includes setting rates. Candidates must live in their district, but the election for each commissioner is held statewide. For more detail, check out this explainer from our primary election coverage partner, Atlanta Community Press Collective. . 

Here are the Democratic options – and more info on all PSC candidates.

PSC District 3:

PSC District 5: 

Voter tip: Georgia’s public service, labor, insurance, and agriculture commissioners have more impact on the cost of living — including housing — than you might think. Here’s why.

Local races

US House of Representatives

Your congressperson represents you and the roughly 760,000 other people in your congressional district in Washington DC. These lawmakers work with the US Senate to set the federal budget and pass national laws. Congress also oversees the executive branch, which includes the president, his cabinet, and federal agencies.

Georgia has 14 congressional districts, with competitive Democratic primaries in several. For instance, the heavily Democratic Congressional District 13 is now an open race, after the death last month of US Rep. David Scott (D-Atlanta). 

Georgia Legislature

All of Georgia’s 56 state senators and 180 state representatives are up for reelection this year. 

  • The legislature’s core responsibilities include approving the state budget, passing laws and resolutions, holding hearings on legislative issues, and deciding on proposed amendments to the Georgia Constitution. Want to know more? Here’s our explainer on Georgia lawmaking.

County commissions and (for some) school boards

A county commission funds and oversees county government operations, such as elections, public health, animal control, and the library system. It also funds state courts, and the county’s sheriff and jail. The state funds salaries for district attorneys and public defenders, but the county commission appropriates additional funding.

If Board of Education elections are partisan in your county, as for Cobb and Clayton Counties, there may also be school board elections on your primary ballot.

In Fulton County, four out of seven county commission seats are up for election — the countywide chair and seats for Districts 1, 3, and 5. Here’s what the Fulton County Commission does — and here are the Democratic candidates for each district:

Fulton County

Fulton Commission Chair

The Fulton County Commission’s longtime Democratic chair, Rob Pitts, has drawn primary opposition from two of his Democratic colleagues, District 5 Commissioner Marvin Arrington, Jr. and District 4 Commissioner Mo Ivory. The commission chair is elected countywide.

Fulton Commission, District 1

Democrat Maggie Goldman, a realtor, is challenging the Republican incumbent, Bridget Thorne.

Fulton Commission, District 3

Dana Barrett, the current District 3 commissioner, is vying for the Democratic nomination for secretary of state, opening up the primary for her seat to both parties. Here are the Democratic candidates: 

Fulton Commission, District 5 

Democrat Marvin Arrington, Jr., the longtime District 5 commissioner, is running for Fulton commission chair. Here are the Democratic candidates for his seat: 

Democratic Party ballot questions

Each party asks voters to answer yes or no ballot questions to find out their views on various issues. These questions are nonbinding.

Below are the statewide party questions. Your county party questions – if any – will appear on your sample ballot. 

State party questions

  1. Should the State of Georgia raise the sales tax on everyday items like clothing, food and school supplies to pay for an income tax cut that would make millionaires and billionaires richer?
  1. Is it ethical for political candidates who have used their public offices to enrich themselves and their families, or have had nearly a billion dollars of business dealings with the State of Georgia, to hold statewide office?

Nonpartisan judicial and school board races

The last section of your ballot will show candidates for nonpartisan judicial elections. There are statewide races for the Georgia Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, as well as county-wide races. Click here for a rundown of the judicial races.

If Board of Education races are nonpartisan in your county, as for DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties, you also may see school board candidates on your ballot. Like the judicial races, these races will be decided on May 19. 

Build Your Ballot

Use the tool below to view your exact ballot and choose your candidates. Pro tip: Email yourself a copy so you can print your picks to have handy when you head to the polls.

Alessandro is an award-winning reporter, who, before calling Atlanta home, worked in Cambodia and Florida. There, he covered human rights, the environment, and criminal justice, as well as arts and culture.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *