Meet the Key Down-Ballot Candidates in Georgia

2 days ago

3 min read

Additional reporting by: Jada Williamson

Down-ballot executive officials administer key state agencies governing public utility rates, legal prosecutions, occupational licensing standards, and workplace protections throughout Georgia. Although top-of-ticket executive positions such as Governor often command primary public and media focus, these down-ballot constitutional and administrative officers exercise extensive regulatory, enforcement, and operational authority that directly influences daily life, economic conditions, and student welfare across the state.

Specifically, state executive agencies oversee utility tariffs and infrastructure approvals that determine monthly electricity and heating expenses for residential, commercial, and institutional consumers. Key legal officers advise state entities, manage major civil and criminal litigation, and establish enforcement frameworks surrounding statewide consumer protection statutes. Furthermore, regulatory bodies under down-ballot administration regulate professional credentialing requirements across dozens of fields, set safety protocols for workplaces, direct agricultural and food safety inspection programs, enforce insurance rate boundaries, and supervise the delivery of public education resources. Understanding the distinct powers and responsibilities of each office is critical for evaluating how these administrative agencies impact consumer costs, civil rights enforcement, labor conditions, and community safety across local neighborhoods.

Meet the Candidates

Lieutenant Governor: Josh McLaurin (D) vs. Greg Dolezal (R). Serving as President of the Senate, the Lieutenant Governor directs legislative proceedings, determines standing committee appointments, and controls the advancement of statutory proposals through the General Assembly.
Secretary of State: Penny Brown Reynolds (D) vs. Tim Fleming (R). Serving as chief elections administrator and business registrar, the Secretary of State manages statewide election operations, voter roll maintenance, and polling technology certifications.
Attorney General: Tanya Miller (D) vs. Brian Strickland (R). Acting as chief legal counsel for the state, the Attorney General manages public litigation, issues official legal guidance to executive agencies, and oversees state enforcement actions.
Commissioner of Labor: Nikki Porcher (D) vs. Barbara R. Holmes (R). The Labor Commissioner manages state unemployment benefits, enforces occupational safety standards, coordinates workforce development initiatives, and tracks employment metrics.
Commissioner of Insurance: Keisha Sean Waites (D) vs. John King (R). The Insurance Commissioner oversees medical, automotive, and property insurance operations across Georgia, reviewing proposed rate adjustments and enforcing statutory consumer protections.
Commissioner of Agriculture: Katherine Juhan-Arnold (D) vs. Tyler Harper (R). Managing Georgia's foundational agricultural sector, the Agriculture Commissioner enforces food safety standards, environmental pesticide controls, animal health regulations, and retail pricing accuracy.
State School Superintendent: Peter Hubbard (D) vs. Richard Woods (R). The Superintendent implements Board of Education guidelines, manages public school curricula frameworks, directs assessment standards, and distributes state K-12 educational funding allocations.
Public Service Commission (District 3 & District 5): District 3: Sheila Edwards (D) vs. Fitz Johnson (R). District 5: Josh Tolbert (R). Commissioners exercise regulatory authority over private public utility providers, establishing consumer rate structures for electric, natural gas, and telecommunications services.

Significance of Administrative Offices

Down-ballot executive choices directly impact the financial and operational realities of student life. The Insurance Commissioner oversees health and vehicle coverage costs for example, the Public Service Commission establishes monthly electricity and heating tariffs, and the Secretary of State governs the voter verification rules enforced at campus polling sites.

Follow our Midterm Elections Reporting and Analysis Here.

Resources:

The Where The Party At? Podcast, hosted by Saba Long and Eldredge Washington, has created a handy voter guide that breaks down the statewide races and the constitutional amendments, including background on the positions and questions on the ballot. It also includes a quick, fun game to test your political IQ. There's also a version to download and print to take with you into the voting booth.