Georgia voters will elect a State School Superintendent in the 2026 statewide election, with party primaries scheduled for May 19, 2026, and the general election on November 3, 2026. The state school superintendent oversees Georgia’s public education system and leads the Georgia Department of Education.
This nonpartisan guide provides an overview of the candidates, key election dates, and how to vote in the 2026 Georgia superintendent race.
🗳️ Are you registered to vote? Check your status at the My Voter Page.
What does the school superintendent do?
The Georgia state school superintendent serves as the chief executive officer of the Georgia Department of Education and is responsible for overseeing the state’s K-12 public school system.
Key responsibilities include:
- Implementing statewide education policies approved by the State Board of Education
- Overseeing funding distribution to public school districts
- Managing statewide academic standards and testing programs
- Supporting teacher recruitment and training programs
- Monitoring school performance and accountability
The superintendent is elected statewide to a four-year term and works with both the governor and the State Board of Education to shape education policy across Georgia.
Here are the key dates for Georgia’s 2026 elections
- Candidate filing period: March 2-6, 2026 – Qualifying has closed.
- Primary election: May 19, 2026
- Primary runoff (if needed): June 16, 2026
- General election: Nov. 3, 2026
- General election runoff (if needed): Dec. 1, 2026
Who are the Democratic candidates?
| Candidate | Website |
|---|---|
| Anton Anthony | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
| Lydia Catalina Powell | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
| Otha Thornton | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
Who are the Republican candidates?
| Candidate | Website |
|---|---|
| Nelva Melissa Lee | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
| Fred Jackson Longgrear | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
| Mesha Mainor | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
| Randall Eugene Trammell | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
| Richard Woods (Incumbent) | Ballotpedia | Campaign |
Candidates are updated as of 3/6/2026.
When are the debates?
Candidate debates, typically organized by The Atlanta Press Club, have not been announced.