2022 Election Update: Stay on Top of Who is Running Next Year

The 2022 election is shaping up to have several high profile races that will garner national and statewide attention. As with all things in politics, change is constant, but GFA’s political advisor Mr. Richard Royal has provided a snapshot of the status of the races as of the end of November 2021.

State Elections

Governor

In the race for Governor, the Republican primary has a potential for a real confrontational collision with former U.S. Senator David Perdue challenging incumbent Governor Brian Kemp. Governor Kemp is a GFA member and strong supporter of rural Georgia and the forestry community. It is reported that Perdue was encouraged to enter the race by former President Donald Trump. The winner of the Republican primary will face a well-financed and formidable Stacey Abrams.

Lt. Governor

The race for Lt. Governor will feature a Republican primary between Butch Miller and Burt Jones, both sitting members of the Georgia Senate. Again, former President Trump has inserted his influence in the race by withholding his support for Miller and encouraging the candidacy of Jones. The winner of the Republican primary will face a Democratic candidate who will have to work hard and spend considerable funds to build name recognition across the state.

Secretary of State

Embattled Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger will face two well-known opponents who have extensive political experience. U S Representative Jody Hice and David Belle Isle, former mayor of Alpharetta, present real challenges to Raffensperger in the Republican primary. The winner of the Republican primary is likely to face little known Democrat Rep. Bee Nguyen in the general election.

Insurance Commissioner

To date, there is only one candidate in each of the Republican and Democrat primaries. In the General election, incumbent John King is being challenged by state Rep.Matthew Wilson, both of Dunwoody. King was originally appointed Commissioner by Gov. Brian Kemp.

Labor Commissioner

The Republican primary for Labor Commissioner features Commissioner Mark Butler versus state Sen. Bruce Thompson. Butler is being criticized for lack of timely responses for those seeking financial assistance during the Pandemic. The winner of the Republican primary will face either state Sen. Lester Jackson or state Rep. William Boddie, both well known legislators.

Agriculture Commissioner

Only one candidate has announced for the office of Agriculture Commissioner. State Sen. Tyler Harper of Ocilla has mounted a vigorous campaign and appears to be favored to win this election with or without an opponent. Senator Harper is a strong supporter of forestry and rural Georgia.

Attorney General

Barring any last-minute Republican opponent, Attorney General Chris Carr will face the winner of the Democratic primary. State Sen. Jen Jordan and attorney Charlie Bailey will compete in the Democratic primary. Bailey unsuccessfully challenged Carr in a tight contest for Attorney General in 2018 when he garnered 49% of the vote in that election.

State School Superintendent

The Republican primary will feature sitting State School Superintendent Richard Woods against former State School Superintendent John Barge and appears to be a lively contest. The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Dr. Jaha Howard (dentist) an outspoken member of the Cobb County School Board.

Federal Elections

U.S. Senate

The US Senate race will feature a Republican primary between Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black and UGA football star Hershel Walker that will test name recognition versus political experience at the ballot box. Ultimately, the race between the Republican candidate and Rev. Sen. Raphael Warnock will garner national attention as well as considerable amount of donations from in and out of the State.

U.S. House of Representatives

On November 22, 2021, the Georgia House of Representatives passed a Republican-proposed congressional map (learn more here). Because the Georgia Senate passed the same legislation on November 19, 2021- the map now heads to Governor Brian Kemp’s desk for his signature. The new lines would give Republicans a strong chance of capturing at least one Democratic-held seat in the state. Georgia’s current congressional delegation has eight Republicans and six Democrats, but the plan would shift Georgia’s 6th District (Lucy McBath) from a competitive D+1 seat to a R+24 district, making it almost certain to become a Republican controlled seat.

Listed below are all of the candidates running for Georgia’s 14 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. With this many candidates running for office, all eyes will be on the primary which is scheduled for May 24, 2022, and if necessary a primary runoff is scheduled for June 21, 2022.

The final choice for Georgia’s registered voters will be on November 8, 2022, when they will elect the individuals who will serve in the U.S. House from each of the state’s 14 U.S. House districts.