Michigan’s 2025 elections unfolded as a study in contrasts, with suburban turnout surging while rural precincts showed modest declines. Voters across the state confronted a tightly contested gubernatorial race that dominated headlines, but local issues — school funding, water infrastructure, and property taxes — animated many down-ballot contests. Early projections and exit polls suggested a politically active electorate motivated by economic concerns and lingering debates over government transparency. Campaigns that successfully connected statewide policy narratives to tangible neighborhood impacts generally saw the biggest boosts in turnout.
2026 Georgia Primary Results
Statewide Races
U.S. Senate - Georgia - Republican
Mike Collins and another candidate will advance to a June 16 runoff. The winner of the primary will face Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff in the general election.
Votes
%
Mike Collins(R)
Derek Dooley(R)
Buddy Carter(R)
Jonathan McColumn(R)
John Coyne(R)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Keisha Lance Bottoms(D)
Jason Esteves(D)
Michael Thurmond(D)
Geoff Duncan(D)
Derrick Jackson(D)
Amanda Duffy(D)
Olu Brown(D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Governor - Republican
Burt Jones and Rick Jackson will advance to a June 16 runoff.
Votes
%
Burt Jones(R)
Rick Jackson(R)
Brad Raffensperger(R)
Chris Carr(R)
Clark Dean(R)
Gregg Kirkpatrick(R)
Ken Yasger(R)
Tom Williams(R)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Lieutenant Governor - Democrat
Josh McLaurin and Nabilah Parkes will advance to a June 16 runoff.
Votes
%
Josh McLaurin (D)
Nabilah Parkes (D)
Richard Wright (D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
John Kennedy (R)
Greg Dolezal (R)
Blake Tillery (R)
David Clark (R)
Steve Gooch (R)
Brenda Nelson-Porter (R)
Takosha Swan (R)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Secretary of State - Democrat
Penny Reynolds and Dana Barrett will advance to a June 16 runoff.
Votes
%
Penny Reynolds (D)
Dana Barrett (D)
Cam Ashling (D)
Adrian Consonery (D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Secretary of State - Republican
Tim Fleming and Vernon Jones will advance to a June 16 runoff.
Votes
%
Tim Fleming (R)
Vernon Jones (R)
Kelvin King (R)
Gabriel Sterling (R)
Ted Metz (R)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Tanya Miller (D)
Robert Trammell (D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Brian Strickland (R)
Bill Cowsert (R)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Katherine Juhan-Arnold (D)
Sedrick Rowe (D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Labor Commissioner - Democrat
Nikki Porcher and Michelle Sanchez advance to the June 16 runoff, and the winner will face the incumbent, Republican Bárbara Rivera Holmes, in the general election.
Votes
%
Nikki Porcher(D)
Michelle Sanchez(D)
Brett Hulme(D)
Christian Wise Smith(D)
Jason Moon(D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Lydia Powell (D)
Anton Anthony (D)
Otha Thornton (D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia State School Superintendent - Republican
Richard Woods and Fred Longgrear advance to the June 16 runoff.
Votes
%
Richard Woods *(R)
Fred Longgrear (R)
Randell Trammell (R)
Mesha Mainor (R)
Nelva Lee (R)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Insurance Commissioner - Democrat
Keisha Waites and Deandre Mathis advance to a June 16 runoff, and the winner will face the incumbent, Republican John King, in the general election.
Votes
%
Keisha Waites(D)
Deandre Mathis(D)
Clarence Blalock(D)
Ambuj Jain(D)
Thomas Dean(D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Public Service Commission - District 3 - Republican
The winner of the primary will face the incumbent, Democrat Peter Hubbard, in the general election.
Votes
%
Fitz Johnson(R)
Brandon Martin(R)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Shelia Edwards (D)
Angelia Pressley (D)
Craig Cupid (D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Public Service Commission - District 5 - Republican
Josh Tolbert and Bobby Mehan advance to a June 16 runoff.
Votes
%
Josh Tolbert (R)
Bobby Mehan (R)
Carolyn Roddy (R)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Charles Bethel *
Miracle Rankin
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Sarah Warren *
Jen Jordan
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Trenton Brown *
Will Wooten
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Elizabeth Gobeil *
Fatima Felton
(2,584 / 2,584)
U.S. House & Georgia House
U.S. House - Georgia District 1 - Democrat
Joyce Griggs and Amanda Hollowell advance to a June 16 runoff.
Votes
%
Joyce Griggs (D)
Amanda Hollowell (D)
Sharon Stokes-Williamson (D)
Defonsio Daniels (D)
Patrick Wilver (D)
Michael McCord (D)
Randall Zurcher (D)
Joey Palimeno (D)
(213 / 213)
Votes
%
Jim Kingston (R)
Pat Farrell (R)
Kandiss Taylor (R)
Brian Montgomery (R)
Eugene Yu (R)
Krista Penn (R)
(213 / 213)
Votes
%
Kelly Esti (D)
Justin Lucas (D)
(203 / 203)
Votes
%
Nathaniel Hicks (D)
Laurie Thompson (D)
(22 / 22)
Votes
%
James Burchett *(R)
Michael Dockery (R)
(25 / 25)
Statewide Party Questions
Georgia Republican Party Question 1 - Election Integrity
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?
Votes
%
Yes
No
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Republican Party Question 2 - Bail
Should Georgia prohibit judges from releasing criminal defendants accused of murder and other felonies without posting secure bail?
Votes
%
Yes
No
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Republican Party Question 3 - Death Penalty
Should Georgia extend the death penalty to include sexual crimes against children?
Votes
%
Yes
No
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Republican Party Question 4 - Supreme Court
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?
Votes
%
Yes
No
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Republican Party Question 5 - Parental Review
Should Georgia require public school systems to make all instructional materials and library content publicly accessible online for parental review?
Votes
%
Yes
No
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Republican Party Question 6 - Energy Independence
Do you support making Georgia energy-independent by prioritizing American oil/gas production, reducing regulations, and delivering low energy costs for families?
Votes
%
Yes
No
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Republican Party Question 7 - Cell Phones
Do you support banning cellphone use in Georgia public schools to improve student focus, safety, and discipline?
Votes
%
Yes
No
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Republican Party Question 8 - Immigration
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?
Votes
%
Yes
No
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Democratic Party Question 1 - Taxes
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?
Votes
%
No
Yes
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Democratic Party Question 2 - Ethics
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?
Votes
%
No
Yes
(2,584 / 2,584)
Glynn County Races
Votes
%
Dane Hutcheson (R)
Miranda Music Smith (R)
(4 / 4)
Votes
%
David Sweat *(R)
Jonathan Thornton (R)
(5 / 5)
Votes
%
Clayton Watson *
Mark C. Ryals
(14 / 14)
Glynn County Republican Party Question 9 - Data Centers
This is a non-binding question placed on the ballot by the local Republican Party. "If bringing Data Centers to Glynn County would significantly lower your property taxes, would you be for data centers?"
Votes
%
No
Yes
(14 / 14)
Glynn County Republican Party Question 10 - Citizenship
This is a non-binding question placed on the ballot by the local Republican Party. "Are you for changing the 14th Amendment so that illegal immigrants’ children do not automatically become legal citizens just for being born on U.S. soil?"
Votes
%
Yes
No
(14 / 14)
Glynn County Democratic Party Question 3 - Data Centers
This is a non-binding question placed on the ballot by the local Democratic Party. "Should your electric bill be increased to support data center power usage?"
Votes
%
No
Yes
(14 / 14)
Glynn County Democratic Party Question 4 - Hiring Family
This is a non-binding question placed on the ballot by the local Democratic Party. "Should an elected official hire immediate family to work for Glynn County?"
Votes
%
No
Yes
(14 / 14)
Camden County & Ware County Races
Votes
%
Martin A. Turner *(R)
C. Ben Goff (R)
(4 / 4)
Votes
%
Allison Murray *
Spencer D. Wallace
(4 / 4)
Ware County Commission - District 3 - Republican
Timothy Lucas was declared ineligible for the election after ballots were printed, and as a result, no votes were counted for him.
Votes
%
Jonathan Daniell (R)
Raylan Guy (R)
Timothy Lucas *(R)
(2 / 2)
Votes
%
Brandi Waters *
Dee Meadows
(5 / 5)
Ware County Nonbinding Referendum - Perimeter Highway
Ware County officials are looking at the feasibility of a perimeter roadway around Waycross. A feasibility study completed in February examined the proposal, looking at travel times, environmental and community concerns, and the possible routes for a perimeter road. A bill approved by the Georgia legislature and signed by Gov. Brian Kemp this spring placed the nonbinding advisory referendum on the ballot: “Do you support a perimeter highway bypass around Waycross?”
Votes
%
No
Yes
(13 / 13)
Ware County Republican Party Question 9 - Gambling
This is a non-binding question placed on the ballot by the local Republican Party. "Are you in favor of prohibiting any new form/type/methods of gambling in the state of Georgia?"
Votes
%
Yes
No
(13 / 13)
Ware County Republican Party Question 10 - Citizenship & Voting
This is a non-binding question placed on the ballot by the local Republican Party. "Should the Georgia General Assembly require all individuals to provide physical documentary proof of U.S. Citizenship when registering to vote?"
Votes
%
Yes
No
(13 / 13)
Ware County Republican Party Question 11 - Consolidated Government
This is a non-binding question placed on the ballot by the local Republican Party. "Are you in favor of consolidating City and County Government?"
Votes
%
Yes
No
(13 / 13)
Brantley, Charlton & Pierce County Races
Votes
%
Justin Bowers (R)
Ray Griffin (R)
John "J.D." Thompson (R)
Mathew McGrath (R)
James Duncan (R)
(3 / 3)
Votes
%
Andy Riggins *(R)
J.T. Flanders (R)
Whitney A. Schrack (R)
(3 / 3)
Votes
%
Lynn Daniels
Kathy Hendrix *
(3 / 3)
Brantley County Board of Education - Post 4
Richard Gill and Teri Gibson advance to the general election.
Votes
%
Richard Gill
Teri Gibson
Brenda Sue Johns
Kalyn Gilleon
(3 / 3)
Votes
%
Wanda Moody (D)
Alphya Benefield *(D)
(2 / 2)
Votes
%
Charles Brown (D)
Deborah Young *(D)
(2 / 2)
Votes
%
Lynn Murray (R)
Jamison Sands (R)
(4 / 4)
Charlton County SPLOST
In February, commissioners from Charlton County, as well as leaders from the municipalities of Folkston and Homeland, held a joint meeting to approve a special election for a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or SPLOST. The one percent sales tax will run for six years, collecting an estimated $8 million for projects for the county as well as Folkston and Homeland. The project list has already been approved by the local officials. Ballot question: “Shall a special one percent sales and use tax be imposed in the special district of CHARLTON County for a period of time not to exceed six (6) years and for the raising of an estimated amount of $8,000,000 for the purpose of (1) funding projects for CHARLTON County; (2) for funding projects for the Municipality of Folkston, Georgia; and, (3) for funding projects in the Municipality of Homeland, Georgia.”
Votes
%
Yes
No
(6 / 6)
Votes
%
Neal Bennett *(R)
Austin Boatright (R)
(8 / 8)
Votes
%
Jason Christmas (R)
Richard E. "Dick" Larson (R)
Jerry Ed Rich Jr. (R)
(1 / 1)
Votes
%
Austin Moore (R)
David Lowman *(R)
(4 / 4)
The gubernatorial contest proved the evening’s central drama, pitting a seasoned state legislator known for pragmatic coalitions against a charismatic outsider promising sweeping administrative reforms. Debates focused heavily on the economy, manufacturing revitalization, and Michigan’s role in the Great Lakes region’s environmental stewardship. Analysts noted how both campaigns used targeted digital advertising and grassroots organizing to flip suburban swing counties that had been decisive in previous cycles. While neither side achieved an overwhelming landslide, the close margins underscored Michigan’s continued status as a battleground state.
2026 Georgia Primary Results
Statewide Races
U.S. Senate - Georgia - Republican
Mike Collins and another candidate will advance to a June 16 runoff. The winner of the primary will face Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff in the general election.
Votes
%
Mike Collins(R)
Derek Dooley(R)
Buddy Carter(R)
Jonathan McColumn(R)
John Coyne(R)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Keisha Lance Bottoms(D)
Jason Esteves(D)
Michael Thurmond(D)
Geoff Duncan(D)
Derrick Jackson(D)
Amanda Duffy(D)
Olu Brown(D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Governor - Republican
Burt Jones and Rick Jackson will advance to a June 16 runoff.
Votes
%
Burt Jones(R)
Rick Jackson(R)
Brad Raffensperger(R)
Chris Carr(R)
Clark Dean(R)
Gregg Kirkpatrick(R)
Ken Yasger(R)
Tom Williams(R)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Lieutenant Governor - Democrat
Josh McLaurin and Nabilah Parkes will advance to a June 16 runoff.
Votes
%
Josh McLaurin (D)
Nabilah Parkes (D)
Richard Wright (D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
John Kennedy (R)
Greg Dolezal (R)
Blake Tillery (R)
David Clark (R)
Steve Gooch (R)
Brenda Nelson-Porter (R)
Takosha Swan (R)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Secretary of State - Democrat
Penny Reynolds and Dana Barrett will advance to a June 16 runoff.
Votes
%
Penny Reynolds (D)
Dana Barrett (D)
Cam Ashling (D)
Adrian Consonery (D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Secretary of State - Republican
Tim Fleming and Vernon Jones will advance to a June 16 runoff.
Votes
%
Tim Fleming (R)
Vernon Jones (R)
Kelvin King (R)
Gabriel Sterling (R)
Ted Metz (R)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Tanya Miller (D)
Robert Trammell (D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Brian Strickland (R)
Bill Cowsert (R)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Katherine Juhan-Arnold (D)
Sedrick Rowe (D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Labor Commissioner - Democrat
Nikki Porcher and Michelle Sanchez advance to the June 16 runoff, and the winner will face the incumbent, Republican Bárbara Rivera Holmes, in the general election.
Votes
%
Nikki Porcher(D)
Michelle Sanchez(D)
Brett Hulme(D)
Christian Wise Smith(D)
Jason Moon(D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Lydia Powell (D)
Anton Anthony (D)
Otha Thornton (D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia State School Superintendent - Republican
Richard Woods and Fred Longgrear advance to the June 16 runoff.
Votes
%
Richard Woods *(R)
Fred Longgrear (R)
Randell Trammell (R)
Mesha Mainor (R)
Nelva Lee (R)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Insurance Commissioner - Democrat
Keisha Waites and Deandre Mathis advance to a June 16 runoff, and the winner will face the incumbent, Republican John King, in the general election.
Votes
%
Keisha Waites(D)
Deandre Mathis(D)
Clarence Blalock(D)
Ambuj Jain(D)
Thomas Dean(D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Public Service Commission - District 3 - Republican
The winner of the primary will face the incumbent, Democrat Peter Hubbard, in the general election.
Votes
%
Fitz Johnson(R)
Brandon Martin(R)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Shelia Edwards (D)
Angelia Pressley (D)
Craig Cupid (D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Public Service Commission - District 5 - Republican
Josh Tolbert and Bobby Mehan advance to a June 16 runoff.
Votes
%
Josh Tolbert (R)
Bobby Mehan (R)
Carolyn Roddy (R)
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Charles Bethel *
Miracle Rankin
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Sarah Warren *
Jen Jordan
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Trenton Brown *
Will Wooten
(2,584 / 2,584)
Votes
%
Elizabeth Gobeil *
Fatima Felton
(2,584 / 2,584)
U.S. House & Georgia House
U.S. House - Georgia District 1 - Democrat
Joyce Griggs and Amanda Hollowell advance to a June 16 runoff.
Votes
%
Joyce Griggs (D)
Amanda Hollowell (D)
Sharon Stokes-Williamson (D)
Defonsio Daniels (D)
Patrick Wilver (D)
Michael McCord (D)
Randall Zurcher (D)
Joey Palimeno (D)
(213 / 213)
Votes
%
Jim Kingston (R)
Pat Farrell (R)
Kandiss Taylor (R)
Brian Montgomery (R)
Eugene Yu (R)
Krista Penn (R)
(213 / 213)
Votes
%
Kelly Esti (D)
Justin Lucas (D)
(203 / 203)
Votes
%
Nathaniel Hicks (D)
Laurie Thompson (D)
(22 / 22)
Votes
%
James Burchett *(R)
Michael Dockery (R)
(25 / 25)
Statewide Party Questions
Georgia Republican Party Question 1 - Election Integrity
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?
Votes
%
Yes
No
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Republican Party Question 2 - Bail
Should Georgia prohibit judges from releasing criminal defendants accused of murder and other felonies without posting secure bail?
Votes
%
Yes
No
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Republican Party Question 3 - Death Penalty
Should Georgia extend the death penalty to include sexual crimes against children?
Votes
%
Yes
No
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Republican Party Question 4 - Supreme Court
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?
Votes
%
Yes
No
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Republican Party Question 5 - Parental Review
Should Georgia require public school systems to make all instructional materials and library content publicly accessible online for parental review?
Votes
%
Yes
No
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Republican Party Question 6 - Energy Independence
Do you support making Georgia energy-independent by prioritizing American oil/gas production, reducing regulations, and delivering low energy costs for families?
Votes
%
Yes
No
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Republican Party Question 7 - Cell Phones
Do you support banning cellphone use in Georgia public schools to improve student focus, safety, and discipline?
Votes
%
Yes
No
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Republican Party Question 8 - Immigration
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?
Votes
%
Yes
No
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Democratic Party Question 1 - Taxes
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?
Votes
%
No
Yes
(2,584 / 2,584)
Georgia Democratic Party Question 2 - Ethics
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?
Votes
%
No
Yes
(2,584 / 2,584)
Glynn County Races
Votes
%
Dane Hutcheson (R)
Miranda Music Smith (R)
(4 / 4)
Votes
%
David Sweat *(R)
Jonathan Thornton (R)
(5 / 5)
Votes
%
Clayton Watson *
Mark C. Ryals
(14 / 14)
Glynn County Republican Party Question 9 - Data Centers
This is a non-binding question placed on the ballot by the local Republican Party. "If bringing Data Centers to Glynn County would significantly lower your property taxes, would you be for data centers?"
Votes
%
No
Yes
(14 / 14)
Glynn County Republican Party Question 10 - Citizenship
This is a non-binding question placed on the ballot by the local Republican Party. "Are you for changing the 14th Amendment so that illegal immigrants’ children do not automatically become legal citizens just for being born on U.S. soil?"
Votes
%
Yes
No
(14 / 14)
Glynn County Democratic Party Question 3 - Data Centers
This is a non-binding question placed on the ballot by the local Democratic Party. "Should your electric bill be increased to support data center power usage?"
Votes
%
No
Yes
(14 / 14)
Glynn County Democratic Party Question 4 - Hiring Family
This is a non-binding question placed on the ballot by the local Democratic Party. "Should an elected official hire immediate family to work for Glynn County?"
Votes
%
No
Yes
(14 / 14)
Camden County & Ware County Races
Votes
%
Martin A. Turner *(R)
C. Ben Goff (R)
(4 / 4)
Votes
%
Allison Murray *
Spencer D. Wallace
(4 / 4)
Ware County Commission - District 3 - Republican
Timothy Lucas was declared ineligible for the election after ballots were printed, and as a result, no votes were counted for him.
Votes
%
Jonathan Daniell (R)
Raylan Guy (R)
Timothy Lucas *(R)
(2 / 2)
Votes
%
Brandi Waters *
Dee Meadows
(5 / 5)
Ware County Nonbinding Referendum - Perimeter Highway
Ware County officials are looking at the feasibility of a perimeter roadway around Waycross. A feasibility study completed in February examined the proposal, looking at travel times, environmental and community concerns, and the possible routes for a perimeter road. A bill approved by the Georgia legislature and signed by Gov. Brian Kemp this spring placed the nonbinding advisory referendum on the ballot: “Do you support a perimeter highway bypass around Waycross?”
Votes
%
No
Yes
(13 / 13)
Ware County Republican Party Question 9 - Gambling
This is a non-binding question placed on the ballot by the local Republican Party. "Are you in favor of prohibiting any new form/type/methods of gambling in the state of Georgia?"
Votes
%
Yes
No
(13 / 13)
Ware County Republican Party Question 10 - Citizenship & Voting
This is a non-binding question placed on the ballot by the local Republican Party. "Should the Georgia General Assembly require all individuals to provide physical documentary proof of U.S. Citizenship when registering to vote?"
Votes
%
Yes
No
(13 / 13)
Ware County Republican Party Question 11 - Consolidated Government
This is a non-binding question placed on the ballot by the local Republican Party. "Are you in favor of consolidating City and County Government?"
Votes
%
Yes
No
(13 / 13)
Brantley, Charlton & Pierce County Races
Votes
%
Justin Bowers (R)
Ray Griffin (R)
John "J.D." Thompson (R)
Mathew McGrath (R)
James Duncan (R)
(3 / 3)
Votes
%
Andy Riggins *(R)
J.T. Flanders (R)
Whitney A. Schrack (R)
(3 / 3)
Votes
%
Lynn Daniels
Kathy Hendrix *
(3 / 3)
Brantley County Board of Education - Post 4
Richard Gill and Teri Gibson advance to the general election.
Votes
%
Richard Gill
Teri Gibson
Brenda Sue Johns
Kalyn Gilleon
(3 / 3)
Votes
%
Wanda Moody (D)
Alphya Benefield *(D)
(2 / 2)
Votes
%
Charles Brown (D)
Deborah Young *(D)
(2 / 2)
Votes
%
Lynn Murray (R)
Jamison Sands (R)
(4 / 4)
Charlton County SPLOST
In February, commissioners from Charlton County, as well as leaders from the municipalities of Folkston and Homeland, held a joint meeting to approve a special election for a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or SPLOST. The one percent sales tax will run for six years, collecting an estimated $8 million for projects for the county as well as Folkston and Homeland. The project list has already been approved by the local officials. Ballot question: “Shall a special one percent sales and use tax be imposed in the special district of CHARLTON County for a period of time not to exceed six (6) years and for the raising of an estimated amount of $8,000,000 for the purpose of (1) funding projects for CHARLTON County; (2) for funding projects for the Municipality of Folkston, Georgia; and, (3) for funding projects in the Municipality of Homeland, Georgia.”
Votes
%
Yes
No
(6 / 6)
Votes
%
Neal Bennett *(R)
Austin Boatright (R)
(8 / 8)
Votes
%
Jason Christmas (R)
Richard E. "Dick" Larson (R)
Jerry Ed Rich Jr. (R)
(1 / 1)
Votes
%
Austin Moore (R)
David Lowman *(R)
(4 / 4)
Down-ballot races shaped municipal governance in notable ways. Several cities approved funding measures for public transit expansions, reflecting a growing appetite for regional connectivity initiatives. School board elections saw a mix of veterans re-elected and newcomers advocating for curriculum transparency and increased support for special education. In some townships, contentious debates over zoning and new housing developments revealed the tensions between growth and preserving community character — debates that could influence local politics for years.
Voter demographics painted a complex picture. Younger voters turned out in larger numbers than expected in university towns, while older, consistent voters remained a crucial force in smaller communities. The electorate’s diversity — racially, economically, and geographically — translated into a patchwork of priorities that campaigns had to navigate. Grassroots groups and local organizers credited sustained engagement efforts — from door-knocking to neighborhood forums — with narrowing gaps in participation among underrepresented communities, though advocates said more work remains to achieve parity.
Looking ahead, Michigan’s 2025 results will likely reverberate into the next federal cycle. Political strategists are already dissecting precinct-level data to inform messaging and resource allocation. Policy-makers elected this cycle face immediate pressure to deliver on infrastructure promises and to address affordability concerns that motivated many voters. For residents and observers alike, the election underscored an enduring truth about Michigan politics: local issues and effective community engagement can sway outcomes as decisively as broader national narratives.