2026 Georgia General Election

2026 Georgia Primary Election

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John "Philip" Milam is originally from Blue Ridge, Georgia. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia, a law degree from the University of Georgia, and a master's degree in Education from the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega. He and his wife live in Ellijay, Georgia, where they are active members of Autumn Ridge Community Church and have four adult children.



Philip is an attorney. He works at his own law practice, where he has been for more than 30 years. He previously worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Dawson County and Hall County.

Linkedin

Philip is an attorney. He currently owns and operates Milam Law Firm, LLC, a personal injury law practice. Before founding his own firm, he worked as an attorney at Gary Martin Hays law firm. He previously served as an assistant district attorney in Dawson and Hall counties and as a POST-certified probation officer. 



John Philip Milam's campaign for Georgia State Senator, District 51, Republican Primary is his first entry into politics.

Philip's campaign for Georgia Senate to represent District 51 is his first run for elected public office.

Supports capping property tax assessment increases for primary residences.

Wants to cap property tax assessment increases for primary residences.

Supports returning surplus revenues to taxpayers.

Supports encouraging and expanding trades and career technical education to teach life skills that support North Georgia’s workforce and rural industries.

Advocates for the expansion of trades and career technical education to teach life skills that support North Georgia’s workforce and rural industries.

Supports North Georgia farmers and agribusiness.

- Supports eliminating the income tax.
- Wants to cap property tax assessment increases for primary residences.
- Supports returning surplus revenues to taxpayers.
- Advocates for the expansion of trades and career technical education to teach life skills that support North Georgia’s workforce and rural industries.
- Supports North Georgia farmers and agribusiness.

Economy

As of March 11, 2026, John "Philip" Milam’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Healthcare

Supports election integrity and ballot security measures.

- Supports election integrity and ballot security measures.

Voting & Elections

Public Safety

Supports increasing childhood literacy to strengthen long-term economic opportunity.

- Supports school choice.
- Supports increasing childhood literacy to strengthen long-term economic opportunity.

Education

LinkedIn

John "Philip" Milam

Steve Shaw is from Suches. He attended North Georgia Technical College. Steve lives in Dawsonville.

Steve Shaw - Ballotpedia

Steve previously ran board chairman of the Lumpkin County Commission in 2024, but did not win.

Steve works as the owner of Shaw's Septic & Plumbing Co.

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

Instagram

Steve Shaw

Wikipedia

William Wade is originally from Dawsonville, Georgia. He earned a bachelor's degree in finance and accounting from North Georgia College and State University. He also completed a graduate degree in banking through the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking, and a graduate degree in banking through the University of Georgia Terry College of Business. He and his wife live in Dawsonville with their two children.


William served as senior vice president of commercial lending at River City Bank in Dawsonville and Dahlonega. He previously served as senior vice president at Pinnacle Bank and as senior vice president at Southern Bank and Trust. He also served as market leader and senior vice president at Community and Southern Bank, as senior vice president and retail banking administrator at First Citizens Bank of Georgia, and as market president at Mountain State Bank.



Ballotpedia

William currently serves as a state representative for Georgia House District 9. He was first elected in 2020 and is serving his first term. He previously served four terms years on the Dawson County Board of Education beginning in 2004. 

Supports cutting regulations and reducing barriers to doing business in Georgia.

- Supports cutting regulations and reducing barriers to doing business in Georgia.
- Supports cutting taxes.

As of March 11, 2026, William Solomon Wade’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Advocates for pay raises for police and worked to increase their resources.

- Opposes restriction to gun access.
- Advocates for pay raises for police and worked to increase their resources.

Twitter

William Solomon Wade

- Your state senator represents the interests of your district in the Georgia State Senate.
- Your state senator can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws after going through the legislative process. 
- State Senators are involved in approving some appointments by the Governor.
- The State Senate, along with the State House of Representatives, makes up our state lawmaking body: the Georgia General Assembly.
- There are 56 Georgia senators, each representing a single district.
- State Senators are elected to two-year terms. They are paid a yearly salary of $17,342.

Your representative and state lawmaker in the Georgia Senate

Georgia State Senator, District 51, Republican Primary

Candidates (3)