2026 Georgia Public Service Commission election
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November 3, 2026
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2 of 5 seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission | |||||||||||||
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The 2026 Georgia Public Service Commission election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect two members of the Georgia Public Service Commission. Primary elections were held on May 19, and primary runoff elections will be held on June 16 in races where no candidate received a majority of the vote. Commissioners are elected statewide, but must live in the district they represent.
Background
Prior to the 2025 special election, elections to the Public Service Commission (PSC) had not taken place since 2020 due to a lawsuit. After the lawsuit was dismissed, the General Assembly passed a bill that would resume regularly scheduled PSC elections. District 3 was on the ballot in the 2025 election, for a one-year term.[1] Democrats won both seats in the 2025 election, marking their first statewide constitutional office win since 2006.[2] As the minority, the two newly elected Democrats have been unable to pass pro-environmental motions, such as one to reconsider a grid expansion request to fuel data centers.[3]
Campaign
A total of ten candidates filed to run across both districts.[4] Democrats have an opportunity to flip the commission if they win the district 5 seat.[5] Data center regulation is a key issue of the campaign, with Democrats in opposition to the recently passed data center-based expansion for Georgia Power.[6]
District 3
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November 3, 2026
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Incumbent commissioner Peter Hubbard is running for re-election. Former commissioner Fitz Johnson, whom Hubbard defeated in 2025, won the Republican nomination, setting up a rematch. Prior to the primary, Johnson faced a residency challenge claiming he lived in Cobb County, which is outside the third district. Despite not sleeping in a home he owns in Fulton County, a judge ruled his intent to maintain it as his legal residence allowed him to retain eligibility for the ballot.[7]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Peter Hubbard, incumbent commissioner[8]
Endorsements
- Organizations
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Peter Hubbard (incumbent) | 944,474 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 944,474 | 100.0 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Fitz Johnson, former commissioner (2021–2026)[13]
Eliminated in primary
- Brandon Martin, financer[14]
Results
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Fitz Johnson | 389,718 | 50.2 | |
| Republican | Brandon Martin | 386,771 | 49.8 | |
| Total votes | 776,489 | 100.0 | ||
General election
Post-primary endorsements
- Organizations
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Peter Hubbard (D) |
Fitz Johnson (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantus Insights[16] | July 29 – August 1, 2026 | 815 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 39% | 38% | 2%[b] | 20% |
District 5
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November 3, 2026
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Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Josh Tolbert, engineer and candidate for Georgia's 35th Senate district in 2025[8]
Eliminated in runoff
- Bobby Mehan, business owner[8]
Eliminated in primary
- Carolyn Roddy, attorney[14]
Declined
- Tricia Pridemore, incumbent commissioner (ran for U.S. House)[17]
Results
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 30–40%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Josh Tolbert | 366,773 | 47.2 | |
| Republican | Bobby Mehan | 241,553 | 31.1 | |
| Republican | Carolyn Roddy | 169,405 | 21.8 | |
| Total votes | 777,731 | 100.0 | ||
Runoff
Results
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 50–60%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Josh Tolbert | 371,567 | 59.8 | |
| Republican | Bobby Mehan | 250,229 | 40.2 | |
| Total votes | 621,796 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Shelia Edwards, business owner and nominee in the cancelled 2022 election[14]
Eliminated in primary
- Craig Cupid, intellectual property attorney[19]
- Angelia Pressley, Clark Atlanta University faculty member[20]
Endorsements
- Statewide officials
- Roy Barnes, former governor of Georgia (1999–2003)[21]
Results
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Shelia Edwards | 557,449 | 55.7 | |
| Democratic | Angelia Pressley | 259,590 | 25.9 | |
| Democratic | Craig Cupid | 183,989 | 18.4 | |
| Total votes | 1,001,028 | 100.0 | ||
Third-party and independent candidates
- Thomas Blooming (Libertarian)[5]
General election
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Josh Tolbert (R) |
Sheila Edwards (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantus Insights[16] | July 29 – August 1, 2026 | 815 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 38% | 40% | 1%[c] | 20% |
Notes
References
- ↑ Amy, Jeff (March 22, 2024). "Georgia bill would give utility regulators extra years in office without facing voters". AP News. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ↑ Rocha, Alander (November 4, 2025). "Democrats flip two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission". Georgia Recorder. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ↑ Skibell, Arianna (March 8, 2026). "How Democrats flipped 22 Georgia counties with a utility board race". Politico. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
- ↑ Hunter, Kala (March 11, 2026). "Who's running for Georgia Public Service Commission? 10 candidates break record". Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
- 1 2 Jones, Emily (March 6, 2026). "Five Republicans and four Democrats qualify for Georgia PSC election". WABE. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
- ↑ Kann, Drew; Swartz, Kristi E. (April 24, 2026). "Care about your Georgia Power bill? These PSC races could have a big impact". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
- ↑ Alander, Alander (April 20, 2026). "Judge clears Fitz Johnson to remain on ballot in Georgia residency dispute • Georgia Recorder". Georgia Recorder. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Darnell, Tim (March 3, 2026). "LIST: Candidates who have qualified in Georgia's May primary". Atlanta News First. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Endorsements". Georgia Conservation Voters. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Endorsements". Jane Fonda Climate PAC. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ "SPLC Action Fund Endorses Peter Hubbard For Georgia Public Service Commissioner". SPLC Action Fund. March 23, 2026. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "May 19, 2026 - General Primary". Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
- ↑ Walker, Margeret (November 4, 2025). "Peter Hubbard defeats Republican on Georgia's PSC as Democrats grab 2 seats". Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Qualifying Candidate Information". Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Fair Fight is proud to endorse these Georgia candidates for the June 16 primary runoff and November general election — leaders who will fight to protect our democracy, defend our communities, and make sure every voice is heard". Facebook. Fair Fight Action. May 21, 2026. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- 1 2 "Georgia Voters Put Affordability First as 2026 Races Tighten". Quantus Insights. August 10, 2026. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
- ↑ Tagami, Ty (February 17, 2026). "Republican Pridemore not running for reelection to PSC". Capitol Beat. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
- ↑ "June 16th, 2026 General Primary Runoff". Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
- ↑ "AROUND TOWN: Cobb Chairwoman's husband Craig Cupid running for PSC". Marietta Daily Journal. December 16, 2025. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Cobb Business Leader Angelia Pressley Announces Bid for Georgia Public Service Commission". Atlanta Daily World. January 14, 2026. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ↑ Dowd, Chris (April 26, 2026). "2026 Local / Primary Election Voter Guide". Athens Politics Nerd. Retrieved May 3, 2026.