Here are the Republican 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 many races in rural areas, as well as suburban and exurban metro Atlanta, the Republican primary can decide who wins the general election — either because no Democrat is running or the voter base is so heavily Republican, that only a Republican will win the general election. 

JUMP TO A SECTION

STATEWIDE RACES
LOCAL RACES
REPUBLICAN 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. 

Republican voters are choosing whom they want to challenge the Democratic incumbent, US Sen. Jon Ossoff, in the Nov. 3 general election. 

Here are the GOP options: 

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

Governor — 8 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.. 

Republicans are choosing between eight candidates: 

Lieutenant governor — 7 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 Republican options: 

Secretary of State — 5 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 GOP contenders: 

Agricultural Commissioner— 1 candidate

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.

Republican incumbent Tyler Harper is running unopposed. 

Insurance Commissioner— 1 candidate

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. 

Republican incumbent John King is running unopposed. 

State School Superintendent — 4 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. 

Republican incumbent Richard Woods is facing four Republican challengers: 

Labor Commissioner — 1 candidate

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

Incumbent commissioner Barbara Rivera Holmes is unopposed.

Public Service Commissioner — 2 seats, 6 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 Republican options –: and more info on all PSC candidates.

PSC District 3: 

PSC District 5: 

The current Republican commissioner, Tricia Pridemore, is running for Congress, so it’s an open seat. Here are the GOP contenders: 

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 Republican primaries in several. For example, the heavily Republican District 11 is an open race with eight GOP contenders, since GOP Rep. Barry Loudermilk is retiring.

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 Districts 1, 3, and 5. However, only the open District 3 seat has attracted Republican candidates – Paul Burton and Rebecca King.

Republican 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 Georgia enact the strongest election integrity measures possible, which may include hand marked paper ballots, fines for counties that refuse to maintain current voter rolls, and restrictions on no-excuse absentee voting to restore trust in elections?
  1.  Should Georgia prohibit judges from releasing criminal defendants accused of murder and other felonies without posting secure bail?
  1. Should Georgia extend the death penalty to include sexual crimes against children?
  1. Should the United States Constitution be amended to limit the number of Supreme Court Justices to a maximum of nine to prevent partisan court packing schemes?
  1. Should Georgia require public school systems to make all instructional materials and library content publicly accessible online for parental review?
  1. Do you support making Georgia energy-independent by prioritizing American oil/gas production, reducing regulations, and delivering lower energy costs for families?
  1. Do you support banning cellphone use in Georgia public schools to improve student focus, safety, and discipline?
  1. Should Georgia enact laws punishing state and local law enforcement who refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities in the deportation of illegal aliens charged with serious crimes?

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 and have them handy when you head to the polls.

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