Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for April 28, 2026

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Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for April 28, 2026

On April 28, 1776, Colonel Lachlan McIntosh wrote from Savannah to General George Washington.

he concluded his letter with the report that because the South had limited manufacturing capability, the price of needed goods was two or three times higher than in the North, making procurement of clothing and arms for the new recruits difficult.

This last tidbit would prove prescient as lack of manufacturing proved an insuperable problem for the Confederacy. On May 16, 1777, McIntosh dueled against Button Gwinnett, scoring a fatal wound against one of Georgia’s signers of the Declaration of Independence. McIntosh was acquitted at trial but forced to leave Georgia and eventually served under Washington at Valley Forge.

In 1787, McIntosh was a Commissioner representing Georgia in a series of three boundary disputes with South Carolina, two which were resolved on April 28, 1787 with the Convention of Beaufort.

On April 28, 2014, the earliest ever Primary Elections in Georgia began, as in-person early voting started across the state.

Greene County is now home to an historical marker honoring former state Rep. Abram Colby, according to WABE.

Greene County now has its first historical marker dedicated to an African American who served as one of the first Black legislators elected to the Georgia General Assembly.

A small group gathered outside of the Greene County Courthouse on Sunday to honor former state Rep. Abram Colby, who served the county after the Civil War.

“There is nothing regarding our history and our heritage… this is the first one because I believe these kind of things are important because we’re not going to be here all the time to tell the story,” said Mamie Hillman, founder of the Greene County African American Museum.

She said she and her team worked alongside the Georgia Historical Society to get an official marker for Colby. The community-based application for the marker was officially approved last fall, fundraising $2,500 for the effort.

“Can you imagine? It has taken more than 157 years to acknowledge and honor these men. And he’s the first one to have a historical marker,” she said.

Colby was a member of the “Original 33,” the first group of Black legislators to serve under the Gold Dome back in 1868. However, according to New York-based researcher Greer Brigham, his story was far from easy to trace.

“If you read histories of Greene County, Georgia, his story is either written out or it’s filled with lies. I think the reason for that is how powerful the story is and the danger of his example of this guy who believed in this expansive view of freedom, not just the Emancipation Proclamation, but economic opportunity, educational opportunity, political opportunity,” Brigham said.

Brigham said the placement of the marker, at a front corner of the courthouse’s lawn, is the best location because its “the exact spot where he led the freed people to cast their ballots in 1868.”

Later that same year, the Original 33 were expelled from the General Assembly because of their race. Political tension and violence arose around whether Black men could hold office despite having the right to vote.

Archives show Colby was racially attacked in 1869 for his advocacy of Black civil rights and political inclusion. Colby was also violently bribed to not recampaign following “White v. Clements” case, ruling that African Americans have a right to hold office.

The marker acknowledges his plight and his successes, including his 1871 federal court testimony on political violence by the Ku Klux Klan.

“[The Klansmen] broke my door open, took me out of bed, took me to the woods and whipped me three hours or more and left me for dead. They said to me, ‘Do you think you will ever vote another damned Radical ticket?’ I said, ‘If there was an election tomorrow, I would vote the Radical ticket.’ They set in and whipped me a thousand licks more, with sticks and straps that had buckles on the ends of them,” Colby testified in 1869.

And over 150 years later, Pam Colby believes her ancestor’s story is finally getting the respect it deserves.

“He was so selfless, and literally, he sacrificed himself because he believed in freedom. He believed in rights for everyone. So to get to this point all of these years later and then to see it in person, it was overwhelming, really,” Colby said.

“It’s an acknowledgement that he existed and what he did mattered. It’s not something that could be reburied, because his story was buried,” Colby added.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Early voting is open in the May 19, 2026 Primary Election, according to WTOC.

Early voting is underway in Georgia’s 2026 midterm primaries, with the governor’s race driving voters to the polls.

Voters in Chatham County cast ballots at various locations Monday, citing reasons including avoiding long lines and the flexibility to vote anywhere in the county ahead of Election Day.

“No hustle, no fuss, no muss,” said Mike Brown, a veteran who voted early with his wife.

Brown was among many Chatham County residents who took advantage of early voting as the 2026 primary gets underway.

“It was so much easier to just run in there and run out,” one voter said.

The Southwest Library on Abercorn Street near the Savannah Mall and the Chatham County Voter Registration Annex on Eisenhower Drive were among the busiest locations Monday.

The Blake couple, who voted at the Eisenhower Drive location, said they have been voting early for years. They said they are anticipating the outcome of the governor’s race and want to make sure their voices are heard as early as possible.

“It’s extremely important for people to vote early because if you don’t vote, you don’t count,” they said. “When you vote early, you don’t have to worry about going to a specific polling place on Election Day. Voting early means you can vote anywhere in Chatham County, but on Election Day, it can get a little too crowded.”

Brown said the process was quick and easy, with little to no wait time.

“Voting early, you kind of get it out of the way, so to speak,” Brown said. “It’s convenient, there was no crowd. I think I was the 29th person to cast a ballot.”

Some locations in Chatham County, including the Islands Library on Johnny Mercer Boulevard, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for voters unable to vote during the week. Election Day is May 19.

Voter turnout in the first day of early voting was brisk, according to the AJC.

In 2018, the last time we had a midterm election during a Trump presidency, 9,266 Georgians cast ballots on the first day of in-person early voting. This year? It was 35,352.

That’s a 281% increase. It’s also a 29% increase from 2022, when 27,298 people cast ballots on the first day of early voting.

“This record-breaking turnout is proof that Georgians trust our election process” Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said.

In addition to in-person voting, the state accepted 1,732 absentee ballots.

From 13WMAZ:

Early voting for the Georgia midterm primary elections has kicked off across Georgia Monday morning, allowing voters to head to the polls and select which democratic and republican candidates will face off in November.

Voters in Georgia can now vote in the midterm elections as polls open for both the republican and democratic primaries.

Every member of the United States House of Representatives is up for reelection and there are a number of high profile Georgia-specific races, including governor, secretary of state, attorney general and more.

The primary elections will determine which candidates will advance to the general election, which is set for Nov. 3. There’s also the possibility for a run-off, should no candidate get over 50% of the vote in the primaries.  Run-offs elections will be set for June 16.

According to the Georgia Secretary of States Office, early voting runs from April 27 all the way to May 15, but hours can vary from county to county. Election day for the primary election is May 19.

How to find your early voting locations?

In Georgia, the Secretary of States Office has a tool to help identify early voting locations in your county.

You will be able to select to the election you wish to vote early in — in this case the May 19, 2026, General primary election — and what county you live in.

After that, you’ll be able to search for early voting locations in your specific county.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE GEORGIA MY VOTER PAGE

From WJBF:

Augusta early voters are finding out that doing your homework goes along way.

“Well, my wife printed out the ballot for me, so I knew who I was going to vote for,” said Berley Green.

Whether Augusta voters select a Democrat primary ballot, Republican, or non-partisan, there are a lot of choices to make.

There is the mayor’s race, five commission races and two sales tax questions.

“This is probably the longest ballot we’re had in Richmond County in the 30 years that I’ve been here. I’ve never seen a ballot quite this long with so many candidates,” said Travis Doss, Elections Director

Doss recommends voters get a sample ballot and study it before heading to the polls. It paid off for some early voters.

“It was a huge ballot, but if you prepare ahead of time and kind of print your ballot out and go over it kind of vet the candidates beforehand, it kind of goes smooth,” said Nicole Floyd

Augusta voters are familiar with the SPLOST question on the ballot, but they may need to go read up on the half-penny FLOST tax for property tax relief.

“No, we’ve never had that before. That was due to a law change a couple of years ago that allowed counties to opt in or opt out as far as giving tax relief,” said Doss.

So, voters have a decision about Augusta having another sales tax.

“Do your homework on that, because it’s going to affect your pocketbook,” said Floyd.

“Enough taxes, enough taxes,” said Green.

“You’re not a supporter?”

No,” said Green.

Early voting continues until May 15th, so there is time to get up to speed on this sizable ballot.

Accessibility may be an issue for voters in some jurisdictions, according to 13WMAZ.

Concerns are being raised about accessibility at the Macon Mall Board of Elections office as early voting approaches, with some voters saying the long walk from the parking lot to the polling site creates barriers for elderly and disabled residents.

Louise Hill said the distance made it impossible for her husband to participate in early voting during a recent election.

“Because of the distance and his physical condition, and the fact that he uses a rollator or a cane, that distance to walk from the parking lot to this facility is too taxing on him,” Hill said.

Hill said this is the first time her husband has been unable to vote early because of accessibility concerns.

“This was the first time we did not participate in early voting because he couldn’t walk this distance anymore,” she said.

She said the issue extends beyond her family and could impact other voters with mobility challenges.

“I’m coming to get an absentee ballot for my husband and for two other relatives because they can’t walk this distance as well,” Hill said.

Thomas Gillon, the county’s election supervisor, acknowledged the concerns about the walk from the parking lot to the office inside the mall.

“There’s no doubt that it is a bit of a walk, but we have two other early voting locations that will be available,” Gillon said.

He said additional early voting sites are intended to provide easier access for voters who may struggle with mobility at the mall location.

Gillon also said the county is exploring additional options to improve accessibility at the main site, including potential shuttle or golf cart services and possible adjustments to reduce the walking distance for voters.

“We want to give people as many options as they can,” Gillon said, noting voters can also cast absentee ballots or vote on election day at their assigned precincts.

Thomas Gillon, the Bibb County election supervisor, says people can also vote early at the Theron Ussery Community Center and the Elaine H. Lucas Senior Center, or get an absentee ballot. Those ballots are due May 8.

Governor Brian Kemp issued Executive Order #04.27.26.01, authorizing the lying in state of the late U.S. Rep. David Scott on Friday, May 1, 2026. From WTVM:

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill paused to remember Georgia Congressman David Scott (D-GA), after his death was announced on Wednesday.

On the House floor, members took part in a moment of silence to remember Scott, after his office said he died unexpectedly at age 80.

“Words cannot fully express our sorrow. We will honor David’s memory by continuing the work that he loved,” said Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) on the floor.

Scott started his political career in the Georgia General Assembly in 1974 and served there until he was elected to Congress in 2002. He worked for 12 terms and made history as the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) said he knew the late congressman for decades and often flew with him on the same flights to Washington.

“He always served honorably and did what he felt was in the best interest of the state of Georgia,” Rep. Austin Scott said. “He was very good friend. We were on the same side on a lot of issues and when we weren’t on the same side, obviously respectful disagreements. But David Scott was just… he was a wonderful human being.”

Several congressional offices and Georgia state lawmakers also issued statements in remembrance of Rep. David Scott online.

From the AJC:

Gov. Brian Kemp has not yet set a special election for the deep-blue congressional district held by the late U.S. Rep. David Scott. But Democrats are already worried he could wait as long as possible.

State law gives Kemp little room to maneuver. When a vacancy occurs in a U.S. House seat in Georgia, the governor must call the special election within the next 10 days. Whoever wins will fill the rest of Scott’s unexpired term.

But the statute gives him more flexibility on the election date itself. Officials say it could be held in September or even November.

Democratic Party of Georgia Chair Charlie Bailey said he hopes Kemp remembers “those hard-working Georgians deserve to have a voice in Congress.”

“But I wasn’t born yesterday. And I would imagine the orders from D.C. are: sit on it,” Bailey said. “I don’t know that. I have no idea. Republicans don’t tend to clue me in. But I would wager a good bit of money that the order has come down.”

Scott’s death leaves Georgia’s 13th Congressional District without representation at a moment when every seat matters in the closely divided House. Republicans cling to a narrow majority, and the vacancy slightly widens the gap in a chamber where Speaker Mike Johnson can afford few defections. Bailey knows that, too.

“But I would hope that Gov. Kemp remembers that he’s not the governor for Donald Trump. He’s not the governor for Mike Johnson,” Bailey said.

Scott, who will lie in state Friday at the Georgia Capitol, will still be on the May 19 ballot because it is too late to remove his name. But signs will be placed in polls to inform voters of his death, and votes for him will not count.

Republican candidates for United States Senate debated on TV last night, according to the Savannah Morning News.

Early voting in the midterm primaries starts Monday in Georgia, and voters were given a chance to see all the Republican hopefuls on one stage at the Atlanta Press Club debates Sunday.

They all had the same message for voters — I’m the one who can beat Jon Ossoff in November.

The Republican candidate will need to play catchup as Democrats have momentum going into the midterms following a competitive showing in Georgia’s 14th congressional district, and Ossoff has consistently polled higher than any of the Republican challengers. Ossoff is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.

The Republican candidates are Buddy Carter, Mike Collins, John Coyne, Derek Dooley and Jonathan McColumn, and during the debate they answered questions about healthcare, affordability, “America First” ideology, the current administration and more.

Five contenders are hoping for Republican votes in Georgia, and none have been endorsed by President Trump, as of Monday.

Derek Dooley, however, has received a high-powered endorsement by sitting Governor Brian Kemp, a Republican who has served two terms and cannot run again. He considers himself a political outsider and says he can bring his coaching experience to Congress.

Dooley trails in the polls to Mike Collins and Buddy Carter, both established Georgia Republicans.

Collins currently serves in the U.S. House of Representatives in Georgia’s 10th congressional district, and worked as a business owner and entrepreneur before going into politics. He was a driving force behind the TRANQ Act under the Biden Administration and the Laken Riley Act under President Trump. Collins has been a staunch Trump supporter since 2016 and continues to call on the MAGA base in Georgia for support.

Buddy Carter is hoping for the same votes as he also claims the “America First” narrative for his campaign. Carter serves in the U.S. House for the first congressional district in coastal Georgia, and has been in Congress for more than a decade. He calls himself a “MAGA warrior” and has voted consistently along party lines.

After months of attacks online and through ads, Carter and Collins went head-to-head in the debate.

During a section when the candidates could ask their own questions to one of their competitors, Carter asked Collins “if taxpayers can’t trust you to properly steward their money, how can they trust you to be an U.S. Senator?”, referencing an ongoing ethics investigation of Collins that was mentioned earlier in the debate.

“You know Buddy, I can tell through the voice you know how polling is going out there,” Collins responded. “This is a total nothing-burger, this anonymous complaint that anyone can file. But I find it ironic that a career politician is talking about ethics, and your career has been littered with complaints, crooked land deals, you’ve even tripled your net worth.”

Collins then took on Carter’s voting record.

“I also find it very embarrassing Buddy that you’re out there campaigning as a conservative but you vote as a liberal,” Collins said. “I mean you voted for gun confiscation and for amnesty for illegals. So if you want a conservative, he’s not your ‘buddy’.”

“Thanks for not answering the question,” Carter began his rebuttal. “Mike, the truth is that this is a bipartisan committee, the ethics committee, you know it’s made up of ten people, five Republicans and five Democrats, and they voted unanimously to move forward with this. Mike, if you’re our candidate, we lose. You’re under federal investigation. I’m telling you, Democrats will eat that up, and we (Republicans) will lose again.”

From Atlanta News First via WTVM:

The debate came as a new InsiderAdvantage poll showed health care executive Rick Jackson leading the Republican field. The survey of 800 likely GOP primary voters, conducted April 22–23, put Jackson at 32%, followed by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones at 25%, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger at 11%, and Attorney General Chris Carr at 6%. Twenty-three percent of respondents were undecided. The poll’s margin of error was ±3.46%.

Tensions were already high before the debate began, with Jones’ campaign releasing a new attack ad targeting Jackson earlier in the day.

Onstage, Jones pressed Jackson over his ties to Planned Parenthood and allegations about hiring undocumented workers.

“My question for you — who is the real Rick Jackson?” Jones asked during the exchange.

Jackson said he had not accepted any funding from Planned Parenthood. When Jones followed up by asking, “Do you have illegals working for you right now?” Jackson replied, “I don’t know.”

On the Democratic side, candidates repeatedly targeted Geoff Duncan, the former Republican lieutenant governor now running as a Democrat.

“You don’t join a church and say a month later you need to be chief pastor,” said state Sen. Jason Esteves, pushing back on Duncan’s candidacy.

Esteves and others also jockeyed for position behind former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who is widely viewed as the Democratic front-runner.

Duncan warned that a Republican victory would increase former President Donald Trump’s influence in Georgia government.

“If a Republican wins office, Donald Trump will literally have an office at the Georgia Capitol,” he said.

Bottoms faced criticism tied to a death investigation that named her as a defendant and raised concerns about the city’s response to gang activity during her tenure as mayor.

“You can’t have the death of a child — any child — and not think, what could I have done differently,” Bottoms said.

The Atlanta Press Club’s Loudermilk-Young Debate Series has played a significant role in shaping Georgia politics for more than two decades.

Early voting is now underway. Election Day is May 19.

From WRDW:

The Atlanta Press Club hosted its longstanding debate series Sunday to kick off the midterm election season.

Candidates across several races answered questions on accountability and had the opportunity to question their opponents.

In District 10 — the state’s largest eastern district, which includes Athens, Winder and McDonough — candidates addressed election integrity, specifically the July 1 deadline to remove electronic barcodes, or QR codes, from ballots.

“We’ve made it harder to cheat, and that’s why it’s important that we advance election integrity legislation in Georgia,” said Houston Gaines, a Republican candidate for District 10.

“But if it would make people more comfortable to move to hand-marked paper ballots and remove those QR codes, I think that’s best for us,” said Lexy Doherty, a Democratic candidate for District 10.

“The one problem I have is the short deadline. If we can’t get this done before the election, it’s just going to cause chaos. I would like to see the QR code removal pushed back past the midterms,” Doherty added.

Five Republican Senate candidates debated Sunday for the chance to face Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.

Several candidates attempted to distance themselves from former President Donald Trump.

“We’ve got to get our policies through. I think we are right on policy, and I think the American people agree. We need to stay together more often than we do. Sometimes we get a little divided, and that’s OK, but we need to make sure we are advancing Republican policies,” said U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, a Republican Senate candidate.

“This is why we need new leadership. We’ve got to get people up there working together, not relying on executive orders, so they can solve long-term problems for the American people that don’t change every four years,” said Derek Dooley, a Republican Senate candidate.

Atlanta News First reached out to Ossoff’s office for comment and received a statement from the Democratic Party of Georgia.

“Today, we saw Buddy Carter, Mike Collins and Derek Dooley get on stage and profess how loyal and obedient they would be to Donald Trump in the U.S. Senate. From backing his illegal, price-hiking tariffs to gutting affordable health care, all three are already bending the knee to Trump’s harmful MAGA agenda. Georgians deserve much better, and we’ll make sure Carter, Collins and Dooley don’t get anywhere near a U.S. Senate seat,” said Devon Cruz, senior communications adviser for the party.

The debate series concluded Sunday with the lieutenant governor’s race.

Republican candidates focused on conservative approaches to affordability and property taxes.

“We have to deliver bold conservative leadership to accomplish what Republicans have been promising for years but have failed to deliver,” said state Sen. Greg Dolezal, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor.

Democratic candidates emphasized accountability.

“I would use that procedural authority to force votes on our biggest issues so there would be real accountability,” said state Sen. Josh McLaurin, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor.

Both parties said they are best positioned to lead while emphasizing collaboration.

“I think the best way to come up with strong ideas is to listen to everyone first, then move forward with the best policy,” said John F. Kennedy, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor.

“I am going to be a lieutenant governor who legislates and provides strong leadership while holding Republicans accountable for harming Georgians,” said Nabilah Parkes, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor.

Early voting begins Monday and runs through May 15. Election Day is May 19.

From the Augusta Chronicle:

The Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce and the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce are playing host to a joint candidate forum for Augusta mayoral and commission candidates on Tuesday and Wednesday at Augusta Technical College’s Jack B. Patrick Information Technology Center Auditorium.

On the Tuesday, April 28, the forum schedule, District 4 will begin at 6 p.m. and District 2 at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, April 29, District 8 will begin at 4 p.m., District 10 at 5 p.m., and the mayoral forum at 6 p.m. Invitations were extended to all qualified candidates for each seat.

In Richmond County, advance voting times will be through May 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays.

Richmond County voters can cast ballots at the Municipal Building or in the absentee-vote drop box at 535 Telfair St. That location also will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 3.

Richmond County voters also can cast ballots at the Henry Brigham Community Center, 2463 Golden Camp Rd.; the Robert Howard Community Center, 103 Diamond Lakes Way; and, the Warren Road Community Center, 300 Warren Road.

In Columbia County, advance voting times will be through May 15, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

Columbia County voters can cast ballots at the Board of Elections’ Building G3, 610 Ronald Reagan Dr., Evans; the former Euchee Creek Library, 5907 Euchee Creek Dr., Grovetown; and the Columbia County School District Support Department Complex, 4395 River Watch Pkwy.

From Georgia Recorder:

A pair of debates aimed at informing voters ahead of the May primary election was mostly tense and sometimes personal as frontrunners in both the Republican and Democratic primaries in the race for governor took the opportunity to sling attacks previously reserved for the airwaves.

Candidates from both parties honed in on promises aimed to address affordability concerns, which is a top issue for voters this year. But in the first and likely only time that all GOP candidates will share the debate stage, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Rick Jackson, the healthcare executive who upended the Republican primary as a late entrant, sparred over the millions of dollars that have been spent by both in attack ads aimed at the other.

Democrats were largely unified on their agenda to address affordability concerns through improving access to healthcare, largely by expanding Medicaid, as well as increasing access to affordable housing and higher-paying jobs. But one candidate, former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, had to answer repeatedly for his past positions when he was an elected GOP state leader.

Early voting started Monday with election day set for May 19.

Republican ‘slugfest’ gets personal, in person

While some candidates spent millions on attack ads aimed at undecided voters or at chipping away at one another’s votes, other candidates were vocally turned off by the negative discourse that has shaped the Republican primary.

At point one, Attorney General Chris Carr said that “there’s one really rich guy and one guy’s rich daddy that are trying to buy your vote,” referring to Jackson and Jones, respectively.

Tom Williams, a Wilkinson County resident running for the GOP nomination, said that there are “two candidates going toe to toe, spending millions of dollars on negative ads against each other.” And Ken Yasger, an Army veteran and bartender in Tybee Island, said that people are “hurting, and they’re struggling (because) these attacks” in his closing statements as he spoke with his past struggle with mental health and alcohol use.

Maria Andrade, a Democratic strategist based in Atlanta, said on a Democratic Party of Georgia press call before the debate that Democrats welcome the attacks between Jones and Jackson, saying that the “unprecedented spending (in attack ads) is essentially doing our job for us.” The Jackson-Jones rivalry, Andrade said, is reaching a wide range of voters, not just primary voters.

“They have spent millions talking about how Burt Jones has abused public office to enrich himself and enrich his family. They have spent millions to tell Georgia voters how Rick Jackson is an out-of-touch billionaire who’s made his wealth off of state contracts and shady business deals. And this could not be a better scenario for us,” Andrade said.

Those lines of attacks were ratcheted up even more during Monday’s debate.

“After months of brutal Republican infighting, Georgians today got a front-row seat to the utter slugfest that has broken out between Burt Jones and Rick Jackson,” said Democratic Party of Georgia spokesperson Jake Strickland.

The Jones campaign released a new attack ad on Monday painting Jackson as a moderate who has “a new look” and “a new story” meant to appeal to conservative, MAGA voters.

“Tonight, Georgia voters will finally get to hear him answer for it in person. You can change the face, but you can’t erase the record,” said Kayla Lott, a spokesperson for the Jones campaign.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, however, took a different approach to the debate, choosing to instead sling attacks at the Democratic frontrunner Keisha Lance Bottoms, saying that if she wins the governor’s seat, Georgians “wouldn’t have safe streets.” After the debate, he confidently said “I’ll be the nominee for the Republican Party, and I’ll be running against Keisha Lance Bottoms.”

“I don’t have amnesia. I haven’t forgotten. When she was mayor, the city was literally on fire,” Raffensperger said.

TaNisha Cameron, spokesperson for the Bottoms campaign, said that Bottoms “delivered results,” such as pay raises for some first responders, and will continue to do so if elected governor.

“It’s telling that Republicans are spending their time attacking Keisha because she is the candidate in this race best positioned to be elected as the first Democratic governor for the first time this century,” Cameron said.

Democrats unified on agenda but divided on how to win

Bottoms also withstood attacks from a fellow Democrat seeking the party’s nomination. Former Sen. Jason Esteves asked Bottoms about the 2020 killing of 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in Atlanta, saying after the debate that having Bottoms at the top of the ballot will be a “liability” for Democrats. Esteves pointed to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Turner’s parents against the city of Atlanta, Wendy’s International and several former city officials, including the former mayor.

“The risk is too great for us to have, especially in a year where we have to win the governor’s office,” Esteves said.

Duncan, who became a vocal critic of President Donald Trump after the 2020 election and who backed Kamala Harris for president and switched parties last fall, also endured attacks focused on his past as a former Republican. Duncan addressed his role in helping pass Georgia’s six-week abortion ban, saying that he “was wrong.” But the most pointed attack came from Democratic state Rep. Derrick Jackson from Tyrone who asked Duncan why he felt “entitled to run for governor as a Democrat?”

“There was a lot of pain that you created while you were in office during your four and a half years in the House, and your four years as a lieutenant governor,” Jackson said, adding that “as a father of four daughters and three sons, you have made this a disaster.”

Duncan said he didn’t feel entitled to the nomination but that “the reality is this: we’ve got to win.”

“Doing the right thing will never be the wrong thing, and doing the right thing meant speaking at the DNC, writing opinion columns, standing up and admitting when I was wrong,” Duncan said.

From the AJC:

Jackson struggled through parts of the hourlong showdown, facing attacks not only from Jones but from other rivals eager to puncture his outsider image.

And he handed Jones a campaign gift when he failed to directly answer whether he or his company employed workers who are living in the country illegally.

Jones faced sharp accusations of his own. Jackson accused him of demanding six-figure donations from lawmakers and using his influence to scuttle legislation from anyone who backed his rivals.

Attorney General Chris Carr, another candidate for governor, went further, saying that if he weren’t running against Jones, he would likely launch a state investigation.

In a stunning move, Jackson accused the lieutenant governor from the stage without evidence of blocking legislation from Republicans who backed his rivals and demanding “up to $100,000 in campaign contributions just to have a meeting.”

Carr seconded the criticism, saying he had heard similar concerns about Jones using his office to benefit his campaign and his family business interests.

“I’ll be honest. If I wasn’t running in this race, there’s enough out there that I would have started an investigation. I would have,” Carr said. “But because I’m running, I think that would be inappropriate.”

He added: “I think it’s wrong. I think it’s unethical. And if true, I think it’s illegal.”

Jones flatly denied it, pointing to two House Republicans who aren’t backing the lieutenant governor who still got legislation through.

“There was nobody holding anybody’s feet to the fire,” Jones said.

Then he turned back to Jackson: “You don’t know how to tell the truth, but you do it with a straight face. I gotta give it to you.”

From the debates among the candidates for Lieutenant Governor, by the AJC.

Unlike most states, Georgia’s lieutenant governor has real power. As the presiding officer of the state Senate, the lieutenant governor controls what bills get a vote on the Senate floor.

It’s why some of the most powerful state lawmakers in Georgia are vying for the job this year. On the Republican side, five of the seven candidates are either current or former state lawmakers. Two of them were once senior leaders in the state Senate: state Sen. Steve Gooch, the former majority leader, and former Sen. John F. Kennedy, who was once the president pro tem.

The field also includes state Sens. Greg Dolezal and Blake Tillery — the vice chair and chair of the Senate committee that decides how billions of tax dollars are spent each year — and state Rep. David Clark, known for his willingness to buck the state’s Republican leadership.

Two political newcomers — Brenda Nelson-Porter, a Newnan technology consultant who did not attend Sunday’s debate, and Conyers business consultant Takosha Swan — also are seeking the party’s nomination.

With so many state lawmakers in the race, the Georgia Legislature passed a bill earlier this month — informally known as the “Epstein amendment” — that would make sexual harassment settlements involving lawmakers open to the public. All of the Republican candidates who were legislators voted for the bill, except for Kennedy, who was not in the Senate when it passed.

Republican Gov. Brian Kemp has until May 12 — or one week before the May 19 primary — to decide whether to sign the bill into law. During a televised debate on Sunday, Tillery challenged his Republican opponents to sign a waiver making their records, if they exist, open to the public immediately.

All of them signed it.

“We hope Gov. Kemp signs the bill. But if he doesn’t, the folks in this lieutenant governor’s race, you’ll know if there were any claims made against us,” Tillery said. “We want to be more transparent.”

Meanwhile, two of the three Democrats seeking the post have been attacking each other. Sen. Josh McLaurin, D-Sandy Springs, for awhile was the only major Democrat in the race. But that changed when Nabilah Parkes resigned from the state Senate to challenge him in the Democratic primary.

McLaurin accused Parkes, a Duluth Democrat, of neglecting her constituents and being afraid to meet ordinary Georgians on the campaign trail.

“I don’t think you actually want this job,” McLaurin said. “I think you don’t really want to meet with voters or go pound the pavement and do real democracy.”

Parkes, in turn, accused McLaurin of being too cozy with Republicans and having insufficient zeal for fighting them.

“We need Democrats with a spine who will stand up to Republicans instead of coddling them,” Parkes said.

Three candidates qualified for the open seat on the Southwestern Judicial Circuit Superior Court, after Judge W. James Sizemore Jr. declined to run for reelection, according to WALB.

The circuit is part of Georgia’s Third Judicial Administrative District and includes Lee, Macon, Schley, Stewart, Sumter and Webster counties.

In an email sent to members of the Southwestern Circuit Bar earlier this year, Judge Sizemore said he will serve through the end of his term this year and work to help “smooth the transition to a new judge in 2027,” including continuing work related to Lee County’s courthouse project.

Those seeking to replace Judge Sizemore include Wesley Beamon, Patrick Eidson and Lisa Jones.

Bryan County voters will decide a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for Education (E-SPLOST) referendum in the May 19, 2026 Primary Election, according to the Savannah Morning News.

Bryan County Schools is proposing a new $97 million high school on the north end of Bryan County, according to the district’s website. The school’s website says the district purchased the land for the new school in 2019, which will sit on 139 acres.

“Bryan County Schools is planning for the future with the proposed opening of a new Bryan County High School in August 2029, as outlined in the ESPLOST and bond ballot question,” reads a statement from the district’s Facebook page. “If approved by voters, the new two-story school will be located off Payne Drive and designed to support students for generations to come.”

ESPLOST failed to pass by just 35 votes last year. Of the 3,753 Bryan County voters who cast ballots, 1,894 voted to deny the one cent tax while 1,859 supported it. The General Obligation Bond and Reimposition of 1% Educational Sales Tax was the only item up for vote. The measure will be on the ballot again May 19 during the General Primary. It was approved by voters in 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2022.

Governor Brian Kemp will visit South Georgia today to survey wildfire damage, according to WALB.

Gov. Brian Kemp will be in South Georgia on Tuesday, April 28, to assess damage from the Pineland Road Fire and meet with the crews battling it on the ground, according to Gov. Kemp’s communications office.

Kemp is scheduled to survey affected areas in Clinch and Echols counties via helicopter, then join state and local officials for a press briefing at the emergency operations center in Manor.

Kemp will be joined by Georgia State Forester and Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo; Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Director Josh Lamb; Georgia National Guard Gen. Dwayne Wilson; and local leaders and emergency management personnel.

The briefing will take place at The Manor School and Community Center, which is serving as the Emergency Operations Center, located at 4650 Manor Millwood Road South in Manor (31550).

The event begins at 11:45 a.m. Viewers can watch it live on NBC and on all WALB platforms.

More on the wildfires from WALB:

The Pineland Road Fire continues to burn across Clinch and Echols counties, growing to 32,541 acres with 23% containment, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission’s (GFC) April 28 update.

Officials say active fire behavior, including wind-driven runs, spotting and flanking, continues to challenge crews. Mandatory evacuations remain in effect in Echols County, where 140 civilians have evacuated so far.

The fire is burning about 13 miles northwest of Fargo. Crews are working around the clock to build, reinforce and secure containment lines along Highway 94 to the north, U.S. Highway 441 to the west, Thelma Headlight Road to the south and Will Rewis Road to the east.

According to GFC, 165 personnel and 55 resources are assigned to the fire. That includes engines, heavy equipment and overhead support, along with state, federal and local partners.

Officials say fuel and weather conditions are creating an extreme fire environment. Low humidity, a high drought index and exceptional drought conditions are making the fire harder to control. Smoke impacts are expected in Valdosta, Homerville and Fargo.

Evacuations remain in place in Echols County, especially around the communities of Fruitland and Bamberg. Officials say 187 single residences and 123 other minor structures are threatened within the next 72 hours. One structure has been destroyed so far. No civilian or responder injuries have been reported.

A Temporary Flight Restriction remains in place over the fire area. Officials are reminding the public that drones and unauthorized aircraft are not allowed because they can interfere with firefighting aircraft.

Governor Brian Kemp is expected to survey the fire response operations Tuesday. He will tour damaged areas by helicopter in Clinch and Echols counties and meet with first responders. He will be joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo, GEMA/HS Director Josh Lamb, Georgia National Guard General Dwayne Wilson, state and local leaders and emergency management personnel.

Watering restrictions and economics could hit Georgia farmers, according to the Ledger-Enquirer.

Georgia leaders often tout their pride for the state’s business and farming environments when citing these two statistics: the Peach State is the No. 1 state to do business, and its No. 1 industry is agriculture.

Now, that industry — comprising around 40,000 farms, according to the 2022 USDA census — is in dire straits from economic volatility, like the price of diesel and fertilizer, compounded by one of the worst droughts in the state’s history.

As of April 22, a quarter of the state is in exceptional drought, the highest classification, per the U.S. Drought Monitor, and over two-thirds is in extreme drought conditions. Extreme drought conditions have lingered since October in southwest Georgia, where the most extreme affects are being felt from poor growing quality and out-of-control wildfires.

Most Georgia growers, 84%, according to the 2022 census, don’t irrigate and farm on “dry land”, relying solely on rain.

“The problem right now is fertilizer,” [ Southwest Georgia Farm Credit relationship manager Jack Davis] said. “With the whole war in Iran going on, it went from, $560 a ton, to $860 a ton. Some people have electric irrigation. But for those who don’t, you have to pump water out and use diesel more. Diesel prices went from $2.60 a gallon to $4. Those increases, and with the drought, they’re having to run the irrigations more.”

“It’s already a stretched market,” he said. “Then you add the drought. You can’t get your seed in the ground on time, especially for some of your later crops, like peanuts, cotton. You have to have water. The soil is hard as a rock.”

In north Georgia, the drought is visible at Lake Lanier. Normally, this time of year, the lake level averages around 1,701 feet, but it is at 1,065 feet now.

Chris Manganiello, water policy director for the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, said the water levels are worse than the 2007-2011 drought.

“Stream levels are lower right now than they were in 2007 and 2011, which are considered the worst droughts we’ve had in the state since record keeping began,” he told the Ledger-Enquirer. “Some streams in the Chattahoochee and some in the Flint — almost all streams — are below ‘07-’11 levels. Lake Lanier’s level is below what it was in ‘07.”

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division is considering a response to the severe drought., which Manganiello said is “prudent.”

Level 1 response is a public information campaign that emphasizes conservation efforts. Level 2 and 3 include water restrictions that could mean two day per week water restrictions and other prohibitions on specific types of outdoor water use.

“People who live in cities right now should care about the fact that there is a drought,” Manganiello said. “We will have to start thinking about how we use water inside and outside our homes. The more widespread, the more it has an impact on food prices.”

The National Ocean Atmospheric Administration said the entire Southeast is the dryest it’s been since 1895.

Knox said part of the reason Georgia is in this situation is from a lack of tropical storms last summer, when no hurricanes made landfall — the first time that happened since 2015, according to NOAA.

“We can really link (this drought) back to the lack of tropical storms last year,” she said “About the time that mid-August hit, we had rain, then the pattern shifted, and we went to this really persistent high pressure that’s been over the region for a lot of the time.

“Starting in really mid-August, we went through a really dry spell, and November was incredibly dry. Usually winter is the time of year when we recharge soil moisture because the plants are dormant and temperatures are low, so there’s not a lot of evaporation, and we usually get plenty of rain then.”

Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins authorized the Georgia Department of Agriculture to begin accepting applications for an emergency loan called an FSA or Farm Service Agency loan.

The loan is available to farmers in 126 counties that have been designated as a natural disaster from the drought conditions, according to the GDA. The highest FSA loan is $500,000, if eligibility is met.

The same day, Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for 90 counties in Georgia due to the wildfires forcing evacuations and destroying homes in southern Georgia. The largest fire, Pineland Road, has grown to 31,000 acres in a week and is just 10% contained, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission.

From AccessWDUN:

On Monday, April 27, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) declared a statewide Drought Response Level 1 for public water systems using surface water and/or groundwater.

The EPD has been closely monitoring drought conditions in Georgia for months, and on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, EPD held conference calls with public water systems to discuss current water supply and EPD’s consideration of issuing a Level 1 drought response. Following the conference calls, the public water systems had three days to submit any additional feedback before EPD could proceed with a drought response declaration.

Monday evening’s press release from the EPD said that as a result of the Level 1 Drought Response, public water systems must implement a public information campaign including, at a minimum, notice regarding drought conditions and drought-specific announcements in one or more of the following ways: newspaper or online ads, bill inserts, social media, and notices in public libraries. This public information campaign is designed to help citizens better understand drought, its impact on water supplies, and the need for water conservation.

Outdoor water use between the hours of 4 PM and 10 A.M. is still allowable and unaffected by a Drought Response Level 1. Public water systems may not impose restrictions on outdoor watering that are different from state requirements unless they obtain a variance from EPD.

As is required by state law, the EPD determines whether specific environmental conditions warrant a drought response declaration based upon the severity of drought conditions and the impacts to water supply.  More information on water conservation is available at https://epd.georgia.gov/watershed-protection-branch/water-conservation.

From the AJC:

Georgia officials issued a ″Level 1″ drought declaration Monday, a move that will require public water systems to encourage conservation as a historic and unusual spring drought grips the Peach State.

The declaration is the first lever Georgia can pull in response to a drought. The move doesn’t trigger any new water restrictions for now but brings Georgia one step closer to placing limits on certain water uses for the first time in a decade.

Parts of Georgia received badly needed rain over the weekend, but it was nowhere near enough to put a dent in the drought. Most areas have accumulated rainfall deficits of a foot or more over the last six months. Some locations have shortfalls of more than 15 inches.

A “Level 1″ declaration means all public water systems are required to launch messaging campaigns to encourage their customers to conserve water.

In a press release about the announcement, EPD said the communications should be “designed to help citizens better understand drought, its impact on water supplies, and the need for water conservation.”

EPD’s guidance says they should also offer concrete steps residential and commercial customers can take to cut down on water use, beyond just limiting outdoor watering. Outdoor watering in Georgia is already restricted to the hours between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. year-round.

EPD requires the campaigns use at least one of the following to get the message out: newspaper ads, water bill inserts, website homepage notifications, social media posts or public library notices, according to state rules adopted in 2015.

The last time Georgia was under a “Level 1″ declaration was between October and December 2019.

Atlanta City Council President Marci Collier Overstreet wants a taxpayer-funded car and driver, according to the AJC.

Atlanta City Council President Marci Collier Overstreet says she would prefer to be driven to and from meetings and other events in which she represents the city in her official capacity.

A resolution introduced by Council member Jason Winston would task the Department of Public Works and the city’s finance department with designating a vehicle and funding for Overstreet’s “portal-to-portal transportation.”

Overstreet said Monday that she isn’t looking to be “chauffeured,” and isn’t seeking any sort of protective detail. But she said having a driver take her to and from council meetings, and other events she attends in her official role would make life easier.

“I do feel there’s a need for me to have help with my transportation,” Overstreet said, noting a car and driver would allow her to “transfer from one event to another more smoothly.”

State Rep. Katie Dempsey (R-Rome) and State Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome) joined the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) to unveil new Narcan kits, according to WRGA News.

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), in partnership with the Northwest Georgia Regional Education Service Agency (RESA), began distributing opioid overdose reversal kits to 180 schools across Northwest Georgia on Tuesday, April 21. This effort is part of a broader statewide initiative launched last fall by DBHDD, the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), and the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust (GOCAT) to equip every public school in Georgia with Narcan, a life-saving opioid antagonist.

“Moments like this show what’s possible when urgency meets strong partnership,” said DBHDD Commissioner Kevin Tanner. “We’re grateful to Director Brian Otott and Northwest Georgia RESA for opening their doors and helping turn this life-saving effort into action for schools across the region. We also want to recognize the leadership of Representative Katie Dempsey and Senator Chuck Hufstetler, who have consistently fought to invest in behavioral health and acted quickly to ensure Northwest Georgia schools are equipped with the tools they need. Northwest Georgia schools can feel confident knowing their state leaders have their back.”

“Equipping our schools with Narcan is a critical, life-saving step in protecting our students and school communities,” said State Representative Katie Dempsey. “I’m grateful to Commissioner Kevin Tanner for his leadership and State Senator Chuck Hufstetler for his continued partnership and commitment to addressing the opioid crisis. Their efforts, alongside our local and state partners, are making a meaningful difference for schools and families across Northwest Georgia.”

“As someone who works in the hospital with Narcan, I am excited to have this available in all our schools,” said State Senator Chuck Hufstetler. “No doubt lives will be saved when seconds matter, and it is available on the premises. Thanks to Commissioner Tanner and his staff for making this happen.”

On Tuesday, DBHDD partnered with Northwest Georgia RESA to host a “Stuff the Box” event, assembling all 180 kits designated for the RESA’s catchment area. Rep. Katie Dempsey, Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, along with partners from Highland Rivers Behavioral Health and Bridge Health Community Service Board, participated in the event. In total, more than 40 local educational, behavioral health, and public safety professionals came together to help assemble the kits, with several schools picking up their completed kits the same day.

The statewide initiative has already reached more than 1,300 schools. DBHDD anticipates a total of 2,300 schools will be equipped by the end of the school year.

Funded by opioid settlement dollars administered by GOCAT, the Georgia Overdose Response Partnership is a proactive, lifesaving effort that ensures school staff are equipped to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose emergency. The initiative supports the intent of Senate Bill 395 (known as “Wesley’s Law”). Wesley’s Law empowers schools to obtain and administer opioid antagonists and provides immunity to staff acting in good faith.

DBHDD extends its appreciation to State Superintendent Richard Woods and all RESA directors for their support and partnership in coordinating this work.

From GPB News:

Georgia has committed to spending millions on projects that address the opioid crisis, using funds from settlements reached with drug manufacturers. And Friday marked the official roll out for Year 3 of funding.

This year, $20 million will be allocated across the state to pay for programs aimed at mitigating opioid addiction and overdose. That’s split between state and regional projects — with $14 million being allocated by regional advisory councils and local governments, and $6 million overseen by the trustee directly.

At an information session in Forsyth County for applicants in North Georgia — slated to receive the largest share of the funding due to its high rate of overdose deaths — behavioral health commissioner and trustee Kevin Tanner said the best applications will address more specific needs.

“One of the things we really want to move toward is identifying what gaps still exist and start creating opportunities to open up funding to fill those gaps,” Tanner said. “But this round of funding is open to any innovative idea.”

Tanner says the trust will work with a data clearinghouse run by the University of Georgia’s David Ralston Institute for Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, to pinpoint where more services are needed. It will build on a gap analysis published in 2024, but add information such as overdose and opioid prescription rates, overlayed by how many behavioral health workers there are in any given area.

“The data will allow us to either back up our assumptions correctly, or it allows to change our assumption based on the facts we’re seeing in front of us,” Tanner said.

The Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust manages 75% of the total money from key opioid manufacturers and distributors — they include Janssen, the McKesson Corporation, Cencora and Cardinal Health.

The rest of the money to the state, 25%, has gone to local governments in counties that participated in lawsuits.

Over the past two years, the state’s Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust has allocated $70.3 million to projects across the spectrum of addiction care. It has $479 million to spend from the $1.3 billion Georgia is set to receive over 18 years.

In 2025, most of the settlement money, about $18 million, went to projects focused on the treatment of opioid use disorder. Those projects are largely overseen by hospitals, outpatient medication assisted treatment centers and local government agencies.

The second-largest pool of funded projects focused on addiction recovery.

Chatham County is considering restrictions on Short Term Vacation Rentals, according to WTOC.

Residents packed a Chatham County meeting with a message about short-term rentals: the problem isn’t just the rules — it’s enforcing them.

County staff held the stakeholder meeting Monday evening at the Memorial Stadium Community Room to gather public input on possible updates to the county’s short-term rental ordinance, which was adopted in 2021 and applies in unincorporated Chatham County.

Officials said the county wants to properly license all short-term rentals, respond to neighborhood concerns such as noise, parties, public safety, occupancy limits, parking and density, and ensure hotel/motel taxes are collected from rental platforms.

Under Georgia law, officials say that rental platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO are required to remit hotel/motel taxes to local governments.

County staff said enforcement issues often arise on weekends and overnight, when police may be the only option for non-emergency calls. The county also uses a third-party vendor to track short-term rental listings and related services.

Proposed additions discussed at the meeting included setting minimum distance requirements between short-term rentals to limit saturation in neighborhoods for new licenses, lowering occupancy limits for properties on septic systems compared to sewer systems, and requiring posted outdoor notices listing parking rules, occupancy limits, noise restrictions and emergency contact information.

Several residents said they want the county to focus on enforcement before adding more requirements. Michael Cates said the county needs someone dedicated to checking compliance.

“The county has to enforce what we got on the books, plus adding more,” Cates said. “What they need to do is hire … a person to go around and check behind these VRBO’s to make sure that they’re compliant because that’s not happening right now.”

Marcus Lotson, assistant director of Building Safety and Regulatory Services, said the county plans to increase enforcement.

“We are committed to, however, increase enforcement both in conjunction to CCPD as well as building safety staff,” Lotson said.

County staff said Monday’s meeting was the first step in the public input process. Officials say they expect draft changes to move through readings in the coming months and hope updated rules can take effect later this year, with July 1 discussed as a target date.

Chatham County public safety agencies will discuss fire safety, according to WSAV.

Authorities from the Chatham County Fire Department, Chatham County Police Department, Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), and the Health Department will hold a press conference on Tuesday morning to provide updates and address the ongoing wildfires in South Georgia and the burn ban.

Mandatory burn ban in effect in Chatham County

“Just one spark or ember can ignite a life-threatening wildfire,” said State Forester Johnny Sabo after the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) issued a mandatory burn ban in 91 counties in the southern parts of the state, which officials say is the first in the commission’s history.

The ban was put in place on April 22 and is expected to remain in place until May 22, as dry conditions and wildfires remain an issue in the state.

“We’re asking all Georgians to do your part in preventing the spread of wildfires as response teams work around the clock to contain those currently blazing,” said Gov. Brian Kemp when the burn ban was announced. Kemp later issued a state of emergency for Southeastern counties, which will also be in effect until May 22.

The Bibb County School District rolled out new electric and propane-fueled buses, according to the Macon Telegraph.

The Bibb County School District celebrated a milestone in sustainable transportation Thursday, unveiling 15 new electric school buses, 10 new propane-powered buses and 15 electric charging stations.

The addition is part of a broader clean transportation push already underway in Bibb County, where propane-powered vehicles now make up 71% of the school district’s bus fleet.

The 15 new electric buses, which are a first for BCSD, were funded through a nearly $6 million grant secured via the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus program. Thursday’s unveiling brings the district’s number of propane-powered buses to 151, Anthony V. Jackson, BCSD’s executive director of transportation told The Telegraph in an email Friday.

“Today marks an important milestone for our school system,” said Katika Lovett, deputy superintendent and emcee for the ceremony. “This investment represents our commitment to student health, operational excellence and future readiness.”

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