This is a tough one.
Many of you have probably already voted in the Georgia primary, but I'm voting on Election Day this year only because that's what best fits our schedule.
It'd be difficult to come up with endorsements this year. There are many candidates this year, and it's hard to find much information about many of them.
I'm going to tell you where I'm leaning, but I highly encourage you to research for yourself.
This is only for the Democratic Primary. If you want to vote in the Republican primary, I really don't know what to tell you. Most of their candidates are groveling to be the candidate closest to Trump. Good luck with that, attaching your star to a President whose star is falling to Reath, disintegrating before our very eyes. The only thing I beg you is not to vote for Rick Jackson - a vile bigot running racist and cruel ads.
Governor
Keisha Lance Bottoms
Former Mayor of Atlanta...considered for Vice President by Biden
In this one, I have decided not to fight the inevitable. She may not be the most progressive candidate, but she is competent and more than capable of being Governor. She's the most likely to get over 50%, and I would really like to avoid a runoff. The Republican race is likely to end in a divisive runoff, and I would rather our candidate have the lead time to consolidate support.
Another good choice would be Jason Estaves. He may be a bit more progressive than Bottoms, and he seems like a good person, with some charisma and speaking skills.
Nabilah Parkes
Former State Senator. Gwinnett County
I'm leaning here right now. She is experienced as a politician and an activist, and I believe will be good on healthcare and insurance issues. Since she has legislative experience, she may be able to herd the cats in Georgia's legislature.
I'm also considering Josh McLarin. He is also a State Senator representing a district that covers parts of the northern suburbs of Atlanta. His legislative priorities are similar to Nabilah's, and I have seen some TikTok Georgib-based progressives endorse him.
Secretary of State
Cam Ashling
A progressive who also has financial and small business experience. She has the experience to handle all the needs and concerns of small businesses, with licensing and other services offered by the Secretary of State. She is being on election integrity (OUR kind, not THEIR kind), and I believe has the analytical skills to be a good Secretary of State.
I'm also considering Adam Consonery, Jr. He is the candidate who has most clearly endorsed ranked-choice voting.
Georgia 1st Congressional District
Patrick J Wilver
He's a veteran (West Point Graduate), an activist, and a college student at Georgia Southern. He's young, energetic, sharp, and able to connect with the younger voter while still appealing to the rest of us (including this old man). His platform is the most progressive, and he most clearly states his support of true universal healthcare. He's capable of attracting the working-class vote and moving Congress away from corruption and toward addressing 21st-century issues, not gridlock and culture-war madness.
Joyce Marie Griggs is likely to receive the most votes because of her name recognition, but she is not my choice. A conservative-to-centrist Democrat, she has run and lost before and is unlikely to build the coalition needed to win in the General Election. I am most likely to vote against her in a runoff, so I am hoping that a genuine progressive is her opposition.
I won't go into all the others. There is a lot. You do need to vote for Miracle Rankin and Jen Auer Jordan for the Georgia Supreme Court. They will help protect us in matters of women's reproductive rights, voting rights, and workers' rights and interests.
Without details, where I'm leaning on other races -
Attorney General - Tanya Miller
Commissioner of Agriculture - Sedrick Kent Rowe, Jr.
Commissioner of Insurance - Keisha Sean Waites
State School Superintendent - Anton Anthony (Otha Thornton also looks good).
Commissioner of Labor - Brett A Hulme
Public Service Commissioner - Angelica Pressley (only if you want someone advocating for YOU instead of the insurance companies).
Court of Appeals of Georgia - Will Wooten
Court of Appeals of Georgia - Fatima Harris Felton
I normally don't vote for unopposed candidates, but I am making an exception for Jon Ossoff. He has been an excellent Senator, and I am proud he represents Georgia. We need to send a message to the lunatics running on the Republican side that we will keep the best, like we did with Ralph Warnock (the best speaker in the Senate).
Please, if you read this and have other recommendations, please let me know. I'm open to any thoughts as to who the most progressive candidates are.
T. M. Strait
AOC '28
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