2026 Georgia General Election

2026 Georgia Primary Election

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North Carolina

Dexter Fisher is from Athens, Georgia. He has a bachelor 27s degree in social work from Mars Hill University and a master 27s degree in business administration from Piedmont College. He and his wife, Audrey, have three adult children and five grandchildren.

District 5 - Dexter Fisher

Dexter Fisher earned a bachelor's degree in social work from Mars Hill University and a master's degree in business administration with a concentration in leadership and finance from Piedmont College. He attends Ebenezer Baptist Church-West, where he serves on the Deacon Board. 

Dexter is an education administrator. He spent 33 years in education administration, most recently serving as chief of district services for the Clarke County School District. Before that, he worked for 31 years at the University of Georgia, retiring in 2019 as director of facilities management. 

Linkedin

Dexter serves as the chief operating officer of Clark County School District and as director of facilities management at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. 

Dexter is currently a commissioner representing District 5 on the Athens-Clarke County Commission.

Dexter is currently a commissioner representing District 5 and serves as mayor pro tem on the Athens-Clarke County Commission. He was first elected in 2022 and is serving his first term. 

As a city commissioner, voted to lower the millage rate for two years to provide tax relief while maintaining critical services.

Supports balancing the budget without raising taxes.

Wants to balance the budget without raising taxes.

- As a city commissioner, voted to lower the millage rate for two years to provide tax relief while maintaining critical services.
- Wants to balance the budget without raising taxes.

Economy

Led the initiative to invest $3.8 million in youth development and gang prevention through the Boys and Girls Club.

- Led the initiative to invest $3.8 million in youth development and gang prevention through the Boys and Girls Club.

Public Services

As of March 11, 2026, Dexter L Fisher’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports funding the Real Time Crime Center, which uses live camera feeds to enhance safety for residents and officers.

Supports equal pay for Deputy Sheriffs and Athens-Clarke County Police Officers.

- Supports funding the Real Time Crime Center, which uses live camera feeds to enhance safety for residents and officers.
- Supports equal pay for Deputy Sheriffs and Athens-Clarke County Police Officers.

Public Safety

As a city council member, voted to approve $2.4 million to launch a program supporting local nonprofits serving young people and job seekers.

- As a city council member, voted to approve $2.4 million to launch a program supporting local nonprofits serving young people and job seekers.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

LinkedIn

Dexter L Fisher

Lakeisha Gantt is from Athens, Georgia. She has a doctorate from the University of Georgia. She has four children.

Yahoo News

Nerd Politics

Lakeisha Gantt is originally from Athens, Georgia. She earned a master's degree in community counseling and a doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Georgia She is married and has four children.

LaKeisha is a licensed psychologist and operates a private practice in Athens, Georgia. She has also served as an assistant professor of psychology at Georgia Gwinnett College and as an assistant professor at Piedmont University. She previously worked in the Clarke County School District as a behavior specialist and career counselor. 

Lakeisha previously served on the Clarke County School District Board of Education.

Lakeisha previously served on the Clarke County School District Board of Education, representing District 7. She was first elected in 2018 and is serving her second term. 

Supports strengthening procurement opportunities for women-owned, minority-owned, and small businesses.

Supports establishing concierge-style services to assist women-owned, minority-owned, and small business owners from concept through launch and operation.

Wants to establish concierge-style services to assist women-owned, minority-owned, and small business owners from concept through launch and operation.

Supports the Launch Every Child Thrives Initiative to promote positive youth development.

- Supports strengthening procurement opportunities for women-owned, minority-owned, and small businesses.
- Wants to establish concierge-style services to assist women-owned, minority-owned, and small business owners from concept through launch and operation.
- Supports the Launch Every Child Thrives Initiative to promote positive youth development.

Supports expanding resources for older adults and aging communities.

Wants to expand resources for older adults and aging communities.

Supports increasing resources for veterans.

Supports strengthening collaboration between Athens-Clarke County and individuals and communities with disabilities.

- Wants to expand resources for older adults and aging communities.
- Supports increasing resources for veterans.
- Supports strengthening collaboration between Athens-Clarke County and individuals and communities with disabilities.

Supports the use of alternative housing solutions like accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and tiny homes.

- Plans on building affordable housing.
- Supports the use of alternative housing solutions like accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and tiny homes.

As of March 11, 2026, Lakeisha Gantt’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Facebook

Lakeisha Gantt

Mara Zuñiga is from Brooklyn, New York. She studied electrical engineering at Stony Brook University and history at the University of Georgia. She and her husband have two children and live in Athens.

Mara currently manages InkaMaya Farms, a sustainable, family-operated cattle farm. She has also served as chief financial officer for Green Source Environmental and worked as a home loan advisor and consultant for the PRG Group and Countrywide. Before that, she worked in the Department of Labor.

Businesswoman Mara Zuniga announces intent to run for Athens-Clarke County mayor

Mara Zúñiga enters mayoral race in Athens

2022 Candidate Mara Zuniga Enters the 2026 Athens Mayor’s Race

Mara previously ran for mayor of Athens in 2022 but did not win. She is a former treasurer of the Athens-Clarke County Republican Party.

Mara Zúñiga

Said, "I will be drawing on my successful entrepreneurship experiences to create and help bring in good-paying jobs to Athens, and actively extend support to small business over corporate dominance downtown."

Aims to bring good-paying jobs to Athens.

Supports prioritizing hiring local residents over outsourcing jobs and creating job opportunities for Clark County School District youth after graduation.

Plans to hire local residents rather than outsourcing jobs and to create additional job opportunities for Clark County School District graduates.

Plans to establish Small Business Districts with tailored regulations to boost the local economy and create jobs.

Plans to establish small business districts with tailored regulations to boost the local economy and create jobs.

Plans to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and regulatory restrictions to foster entrepreneurship.

Plans to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and regulatory restrictions to promote entrepreneurship.

Supports Athens' robust tourism industry, which facilitates economic growth to existing local businesses.

Supports local tourism, which facilitates economic growth to local businesses.

Plans to "Require spending accountability from nonprofits receiving government funds."

Will require spending accountability from nonprofits that receive government funds.

Plans to "support small business over corporate dominance downtown."

Thinks the local government spends money "frivolously" and says she will "prioritize financial accountability."

- Aims to bring good-paying jobs to Athens.
- Plans to hire local residents rather than outsourcing jobs and to create additional job opportunities for Clark County School District graduates.
- Plans to establish small business districts with tailored regulations to boost the local economy and create jobs.
- Plans to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and regulatory restrictions to promote entrepreneurship.
- Supports local tourism, which facilitates economic growth to local businesses.
- Will require spending accountability from nonprofits that receive government funds.
- Plans to "support small business over corporate dominance downtown."
- Thinks the local government spends money "frivolously" and says she will "prioritize financial accountability."

Promises to "provide overdue transparency and answerability for taxpayer money."

- Promises to "provide overdue transparency and answerability for taxpayer money."

Believes Athens has a "severe affordability crisis" with rising costs and local displacement due to "unmanaged growth."

Plans to increase housing affordability and prevent gentrification by changing the zoning code and creating infill housing options where the necessary infrastructure already exists.

- Believes Athens has a "severe affordability crisis" with rising costs and local displacement due to "unmanaged growth."
- Plans to increase housing affordability and prevent gentrification by changing the zoning code and creating infill housing options where the necessary infrastructure already exists.

Athens on the Ballot: Q&A with Mara Zúñiga, candidate for Athens mayor

Supports providing resources for law enforcement and corrections to ensure officer safety.

Supports providing "adequate resources" to law enforcement and corrections to ensure officer safety.

Wants to address Athens' opioid deaths, which are higher than the state average, by collaborating with local non-profits.

Wants to address the city's opioid death rate, which is higher than the state average, by collaborating with local non-profits.

Plans to address sex-trafficking and organized crime.

Will be "unyielding" against sex trafficking and organized crime.

Believes that Athens must enforce immigration laws because it is not a sanctuary city and criticizes "misinformation" about immigration enforcement that "is making people fearful to report crime in their communities."

- Supports providing "adequate resources" to law enforcement and corrections to ensure officer safety.
- Wants to address the city's opioid death rate, which is higher than the state average, by collaborating with local non-profits.
- Will be "unyielding" against sex trafficking and organized crime.
- Believes that Athens must enforce immigration laws because it is not a sanctuary city and criticizes "misinformation" about immigration enforcement that "is making people fearful to report crime in their communities."

Believes prompt improvements to infrastructure are essential for quality of life and safety.

Plans to advance transportation initiatives by investing in sidewalk extensions and intersection upgrades.

Supports commercial flights at Ben Epps Airport and railway transport from Atlanta to Athens.

- Believes prompt improvements to infrastructure are essential for quality of life and safety.
- Plans to advance transportation initiatives by investing in sidewalk extensions and intersection upgrades.
- Supports commercial flights at Ben Epps Airport and railway transport from Atlanta to Athens.

Plans to continue fostering Athens' status as a Tree City by implementing public tree protections and urban forestry measures.

Plans to promote environmental stewardship and clean energy plans aligning with efforts from the ACC Sustainability Office.

Wants to expand resources for urban beekeeping and butterfly sanctuaries.

- Plans to continue fostering Athens' status as a Tree City by implementing public tree protections and urban forestry measures.
- Plans to promote environmental stewardship and clean energy plans aligning with efforts from the ACC Sustainability Office.
- Wants to expand resources for urban beekeeping and butterfly sanctuaries.

Instagram

Mara Zuñiga

Pastor announces intent to seek mayor's seat in Athens-Clarke County

Sharon Miller is originally from Birmingham, Alabama. She earned a degree in sociology and psychology from Morris Brown College in Atlanta. Sharon founded and leads Words of Faith Christian Church Inc. and has participated in local civic initiatives including the Athens-Clarke County Community Police Academy and the Athens-Clarke County Human Relations Commission.

Sharon's campaign for mayor of Athens-Clarke County in the 2026 election is her first run for public office.

Sharon previously served as senior pastor of Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Athens and Paradise AME Church in Jefferson.

Supports policies aimed at increasing middle-class incomes and reducing poverty.

- Supports policies aimed at increasing middle-class incomes and reducing poverty.

Advocates for engaging residents directly and incorporating community feedback into local government decision-making.

- Advocates for engaging residents directly and incorporating community feedback into local government decision-making.

As of March 11, 2026, Sharon Miller did not have a website or any information online.

Sharon Miller

Tim Denson earned his associate's degree from Florida SouthWestern State College. He lives with his family in Athens, Georgia. 

Tim currently works with individuals facing behavioral health crises and helps house those who are facing homelessness. He has also worked as a labor organizer for United Campus Workers of Georgia (CWA Local 3821), as organization coordinator of Athens for Everyone, and has more than a decade of experience in the service industry.

Tim currently works as a team lead at Advantage Behavioral Health Systems. He previously worked as a labor organizer with United Campus Workers-Georgia and as an organization coordinator at Athens for Everyone. 

Tim previously served as an Athens-Clarke County Commissioner from 2019 to 2022. He is currently a member of the Clarke County School Board.

Tim currently serves as a member of the Clarke County, Georgia, School Board, representing District 5. he was first elected in 2022 and is serving his first term. He previously served as a member of the Athens-Clarke County Commission, representing District 5. He served one term from 2019 to 2023. 

Supports using public economic incentives to create living wage and union jobs.

Supports implementing purchasing policy changes to assist Black, women, and minority-owned businesses in securing government contracts.

- Supports using public economic incentives to create living wage and union jobs.
- Supports implementing purchasing policy changes to assist Black, women, and minority-owned businesses in securing government contracts.

Supports maintaining and improving green spaces, parks, and trails, including developing a Westside Park.

Supports the sale of special ACCGOV-permitted cups to generate revenue for downtown safety, infrastructure, and events.

Supports the sale of special open container cups to generate revenue for downtown safety, infrastructure, and events.

Supports increasing public funding for local music, art, and cultural events.

Supports creating a Childcare Affordability Program to ensure low-income families can access childcare.

- Supports maintaining and improving green spaces, parks, and trails, including developing a Westside Park.
- Supports the sale of special open container cups to generate revenue for downtown safety, infrastructure, and events.
- Supports increasing public funding for local music, art, and cultural events.
- Supports creating a Childcare Affordability Program to ensure low-income families can access childcare.

Supports the creation of affordable housing through the Affordable Housing Fund, Land Bank Authority, and expanded inclusionary housing policies.

Prioritizes the creation of affordable housing through the Affordable Housing Fund, Land Bank Authority, and expanded inclusionary housing policies.

Supports adapting zoning policies to allow diverse housing options like duplexes, cottage courts, tiny homes, and in-law suites.

Calls for the adaptation of zoning policies to allow diverse housing options like duplexes, cottage courts, tiny homes, and in-law suites.

Supports funding eviction prevention programs to help families stay in their homes.

Advocates for funding eviction prevention programs to help families stay in their homes.

Supports creating a "Tangled Title Fund" to assist low-income individuals in clearing legal titles to their homes.

Supports helping seniors maintain their homes by expanding home rehabilitation programs.

Supports helping homeowners lower property taxes by enrolling in homestead exemptions, including new and low-income exemptions he authored legislation for.

Aims to help homeowners lower property taxes by enrolling in homestead exemptions, including new and low-income exemptions he authored legislation for.

Supports reducing chronic homelessness by 50% by 2035 by implementing "housing first" and supportive housing models.

- Prioritizes the creation of affordable housing through the Affordable Housing Fund, Land Bank Authority, and expanded inclusionary housing policies.
- Calls for the adaptation of zoning policies to allow diverse housing options like duplexes, cottage courts, tiny homes, and in-law suites.
- Advocates for funding eviction prevention programs to help families stay in their homes.
- Supports creating a "Tangled Title Fund" to assist low-income individuals in clearing legal titles to their homes.
- Supports helping seniors maintain their homes by expanding home rehabilitation programs.
- Aims to help homeowners lower property taxes by enrolling in homestead exemptions, including new and low-income exemptions he authored legislation for.
- Supports reducing chronic homelessness by 50% by 2035 by implementing "housing first" and supportive housing models.

Supports providing mental health resources, sobriety resources, and harm-reducing resources to eliminate barriers to housing, health, and safety.

Prioritizes providing mental health resources, sobriety resources, and harm-reducing resources to eliminate barriers to housing, health, and safety.

Supports and wants to expand co-responder units and community policing initiatives.

Supports working with the sheriff to reduce the inmate population, ensure safety in jails and courthouses, and end cooperation with for-profit prison companies.

Aims to work with the sheriff to reduce the inmate population, ensure safety in jails and courthouses, and end cooperation with for-profit prison companies.

Supports the Public Safety Civilian Oversight Board.

Supports protecting residents from "unlawful activity of ICE & other federal entities."

Advocates for the protection of residents from "unlawful activity of ICE & other federal entities."

Supports local marijuana decriminalization.

Supports reforming cash bail legislation.

Prioritizes reforming cash bail legislation.

- Prioritizes providing mental health resources, sobriety resources, and harm-reducing resources to eliminate barriers to housing, health, and safety.
- Supports and wants to expand co-responder units and community policing initiatives.
- Aims to work with the sheriff to reduce the inmate population, ensure safety in jails and courthouses, and end cooperation with for-profit prison companies.
- Supports the Public Safety Civilian Oversight Board.
- Advocates for the protection of residents from "unlawful activity of ICE & other federal entities."
- Supports local marijuana decriminalization.
- Prioritizes reforming cash bail legislation.

Supports zero-fare public transit for Athens-Clarke County.

Supports the development of commuter rail between Athens and Atlanta.

Calls for the development of commuter rail between Athens and Atlanta.

Supports ensuring safe routes to all public schools and parks in Athens.

- Supports zero-fare public transit for Athens-Clarke County.
- Calls for the development of commuter rail between Athens and Atlanta.
- Supports ensuring safe routes to all public schools and parks in Athens.

Supports continuing "100% Athens Resilience & Sustainability Initiatives."

Prioritizes continuing "100% Athens Resilience & Sustainability Initiatives."

- Prioritizes continuing "100% Athens Resilience & Sustainability Initiatives."

Tim Denson

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor runs the city day to day and prepares the budget each year, meaning that they propose how much funding goes to each city department, including the police department, city parks, transportation, and the fire department. 
- The mayor also hires the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and city department heads, such as City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation. 
- Most Georgia mayors are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 

Athens Mayor

Candidates (5)