Nine Candidates Compete in Georgia Secretary of State Primaries
Nine candidates are vying to become Georgia’s next secretary of state in primaries set for May 19, with early voting already underway.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA — Nine candidates are competing to become Georgia’s next secretary of state as primary elections continue across the state, with early voting already underway for the May 19 election.
The race has drawn five Republican candidates and four Democratic contenders, all seeking to replace current Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who is running for governor and leaving the position open.
According to the Georgia Recorder, the Republican primary has been dominated by concerns about the 2020 election and efforts to implement hand-marked paper ballots, while Democratic candidates have focused on making elections both transparent and accessible to voters.
Key Race Details
The secretary of state serves a four-year term and holds responsibilities beyond elections. The position oversees elections statewide, grants business licenses for various professions, and regulates Georgia’s securities market.
The role gained national attention after the 2020 presidential election when Raffensperger resisted pressure from President Donald Trump to overturn Georgia’s election results. Winners of the May 19 primaries will advance to face each other in the November general election.
Republican Candidates
The Republican field includes five candidates competing in the primary: State Rep. Tim Fleming, former Democratic state Rep. Vernon Jones, Kelvin King, Gabriel Sterling, and Ted Metz.
Fleming did not complete the Georgia Recorder’s candidate survey, according to the publication’s voter guide.
Democratic Candidates
Four Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination: Cam Ashling, Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett, former judge Penny Brown Reynolds, and Adrian Consonery Jr.
The Democratic candidates have emphasized ensuring election transparency and voter accessibility as central themes in their campaigns.
Early voting is currently taking place across Georgia ahead of the May 19 primary election day. The position’s increased prominence following recent election cycles has drawn heightened interest from candidates and voters alike.
