Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for August 26, 2025

On August 26, 1864, having withdrawn from trenches and fortifications outside Atlanta the previous day, U.S. General Sherman sent most of his forces westward around Atlanta and toward the south of the city. Sherman’s forces tore up 12 miles of railroad between Red Oak and Fairburn on August 29, 1864.

On August 26, 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was adopted. Ratification took place on August 18, 1920, as the Tennessee House of Representatives adopted it, but adoption became official on August 26, when United States Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby certified the Amendment. It reads:

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

On August 26, 1939, the first televised major league baseball game aired, as the Brooklyn Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds split a doubleheader in Ebbets Field.

On August 26, 1961, the 718th Engineer Light Equipment Company of Fort Valley and the 210th Signal Base Depot Company of Augusta were called up to take part in the American response to the crisis in Berlin.

President Lyndon B. Johnson was nominated for President by the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey on August 26, 1964.

On August 26, 1965, Sonny & Cher were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘I Got You Babe’, the duo’s only UK No.1. Sonny Bono was inspired to write the song to capitalize on the popularity of the term “babe,” as heard in Bob Dylan’s ‘It Ain’t Me Babe.’

On August 26, 1996, President Bill Clinton signed a Welfare Reform bill, called the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Voters go to the polls today to elect a new State Senator from the 21st district, according to the AJC.

Voters in north Fulton and Cherokee counties will decide Tuesday who should take control of a state Senate seat that opened after the incumbent left for the Trump administration.

Six Republicans and one Democrat are competing to finish out former state Sen. Brandon Beach’s term, which goes through January 2027.

On Tuesday, polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

With a crowded field, it is unlikely any candidate will reach the 50% threshold to win the race outright. A runoff election for the top two vote-getters is set for Sept. 23.

Republican Jason Dickerson, who runs a private investment firm, lent himself $500,000.

Contractor Lance Calvert gave himself $125,000. And Brian Will, who owns a restaurant management company, lent himself $101,000 for his effort.

Other candidates focused on fundraising.

Steven West, president of Flex-Fab Inc., a steel and metal fabricator, raised $189,000.

The only Democrat in the race — Debra Shigley — collected $141,000, most of it in small contributions.

The Republican candidates are focusing on taxes, saying residents need relief from rising property taxes in particular. Others want to expand the state’s voucher program, which gives money to students who are zoned to attend low-performing public schools.`

Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp will lead a trade delegation to South America, according to a Press Release.

 Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that he and First Lady Marty Kemp will lead an international mission this week to promote economic development opportunities for business leaders in Brazil and Argentina that will benefit hardworking Georgians.

Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper will also take part in the trip to represent Georgia’s No. 1 industry and our state’s farming families. Members of the Georgia Department of Economic Development will join to continue strengthening longstanding ties between economic partners. During their time in Argentina, the state delegation will be joined by General Richard “Dwayne” Wilson as they meet with members of the Georgia National Guard and their Argentinian counterparts as part of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program.

“Companies from South America have invested over $160 million in Georgia over the last six years, with the bulk of investments and jobs coming from countries where Georgia is represented,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Since I took office, businesses that operate in Brazil have created over a thousand jobs for Georgians, with many investments strengthening established sectors like our No. 1 industry of agriculture. We’re always eager to grow those pipelines of opportunity so more Georgians in all parts of the state can benefit. Likewise, we look forward to thanking the brave men and women of the Georgia Guard and their partners in Argentina who are supporting our shared security goals.”

The governor and first lady, joined by representatives from the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), Georgia Department of Agriculture, and Georgia Ports Authority, will conduct meetings with firms already operating or under construction in Georgia during their trip, as well as attend diplomatic and relationship-building bilateral meetings. During their visit, they will also celebrate the 30th anniversary of the state economic office in Brazil.

“I’m proud to join Governor Kemp, Commissioner Wilson, and other state leaders on this important trade mission to South America, and I look forward to working with our partners in Brazil and Argentina to continue to build upon our already strong relationship,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “The success of Georgia’s #1 industry depends on our farmers’ ability to get their goods to market, and leveraging Georgia’s port system and reducing trade barriers with countries around the globe are vital components of ensuring the continued success of Georgia agriculture and our state as a whole.”

“This year is the 30th anniversary of Georgia’s representation in Brazil, an incredible milestone for one of the state’s top 20 trade partners and proof of Georgia’s lasting partnerships in international markets,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Through our ports and collaborations such as the Delta Air Lines-LATAM partnership, Georgia’s connectivity to South America means opportunity. Brazil and Argentina are home to some of the largest agriculture and infrastructure companies in South America, aligning with Georgia’s strong agribusiness and food and beverage industries as well as the state’s continued growth and investments in infrastructure development.”

Brazil and Argentina Connections at a Glance

Brazil first established a consular presence in Georgia in 1899. The State of Georgia has had continuous representation in Brazil since 1995. In 2024, Georgia’s exports to Brazil totaled $748 million.

Argentina first established a consular presence in Georgia in 1899. The State of Georgia’s representative in Chile also serves the Argentinian market. In 2024, Georgia’s exports to Argentina totaled $120 million.

Current Itinerary:

JBS: Largely through its subsidiary Pilgrim’s, the company supports an estimated 9,000 jobs across Georgia. In 2025, Pilgrim’s announced plans to invest $400 million in a new prepared foods facility in LaFayette that is expected to employ 630 people when fully operational.

Taurus: In 2019, Taurus relocated its U.S. headquarters and manufacturing operations to Bainbridge, representing $22 million in investment and more than 350 jobs.

CSN: Brazilian National Steel Company (CSN) is one of Brazil’s largest integrated steel producers, with diversified operations that support infrastructure development.

Embraer: Embraer Aircraft Maintenance Services (EAMS) operates a key maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility at the Middle Georgia Regional Airport in Macon, Georgia.

GranBio: GranBio’s U.S. operations are centered in Thomaston, Georgia, where it operates a pilot and demonstration plant through its subsidiary AVAPCO LLC. The biorefinery serves as GranBio’s primary R&D center in the U.S.

AGCO: Headquartered in Georgia, AGCO was founded in 1990 and has since grown to become a leading global producer of agricultural machinery. The company has a significant presence in South America, with several facilities in Brazil and Argentina.

Guidoni Group: Guidoni Group’s facility in McRae represents approximately $100 million in investment.

BERSA: Established in Argentina in 1958, BERSA is a global firearms manufacturer that operates a production facility in Cartersville.

Closer to home, Governor Kemp is sending some Georgia National Guard members to support federal immigrations enforcement within the state, according to the Capitol Beat News Service.

The Georgia National Guard will deploy about 75 soldiers and airmen to help support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations across the state, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Monday.

The request to support ICE in Georgia is not related to President Donald Trump’s recent decision to deploy National Guard troops in Washington, D.C.

Kemp also emphasized that assigning the Georgia National Guard to work with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies is nothing new. The governor sent Guard troops to the Texas border with Mexico early last year, accusing the Biden administration of failing to secure the border.

“Under the bad policies of the prior administration, every state became a border state,” he said. “I was one of the first to mobilize both personnel and policies to crack down on illegal immigration. … Georgia has led on this front for years and will continue to do so through this latest measure while still meeting all responsibilities and duties the Guard has to the state.”

The Georgia Guard troops will not conduct law enforcement functions or make arrests. Rather, they will be providing administrative and logistical support including appointment scheduling, biometric collection, data entry, and performing basic vehicle maintenance in order to free up ICE personnel for law enforcement activities.

Nonetheless, Democrats criticized the deployment decision as unconstitutional and unsustainable.

“As a retired naval officer, it goes against my core values and principles to use Georgia’s National Guard for purposes beyond its lawful duties,” said Georgia Rep. Derrick Jackson of Tyrone, one of several Democrats vying to succeed the term-limited Kemp as governor.

“I believe the brave men and women in uniform did not take an oath to use force against our citizens in the United States. Let me be crystal clear: the purpose of the Georgia National Guard is to defend against foreign threats and aid in natural disasters.”

The Guard members assigned to the mission are scheduled to receive training in mid-September be on duty shortly thereafter.

Police blotter: Former Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary is running for City Council after serving time in federal prison, according to the AJC.

The inaugural mayor of Stonecrest who recently served time in federal prison for embezzling COVID-19 relief funds from the city he founded, qualified last week to run for the Stonecrest City Council in District 5.

Jason Lary, 63, is challenging incumbent Tammy Grimes in a four-way race. The other candidates are Diane Adoma and Karmesha Washington Smith.

Lary began serving a 57-month sentence in January 2023 after pleading guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and theft of federal program funds, all felonies.

He used shell companies and other deceptive tactics to take hundreds of thousands of dollars that the city was supposed to distribute to small businesses during the pandemic. Lary used the money to pay the mortgage on a lake house and other debts.

He was released from U.S. Bureau of Prisons custody in February and remains under supervised release for three years, documents show.