2 candidates are tracked for Georgia Senate District 53, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Lanny Thomas and John Bentley "Jack" Zibluk. Candidate information follows official Catoosa County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Lanny Thomas (Republican), John Bentley "Jack" Zibluk (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Lanny Thomas is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's certified list. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary and June 16 runoff (majority rule); independents qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's certified November 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.
This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Lanny Thomas, is on the ballot.
Georgia › Catoosa County › Georgia Senate District 53
Lanny Thomas spent 35 years working in public education in Northwest Georgia schools before entering local government as mayor of Trion, per his official Senate biography. He was elected to the Georgia Senate to represent District 53 after serving as mayor until November 2025, per his official Senate biography. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
John Bentley "Jack" Zibluk is the Democratic candidate for Georgia Senate District 53 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Who is running for Georgia Senate District 53 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for Georgia Senate District 53, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Lanny Thomas and John Bentley "Jack" Zibluk. Candidate information follows official Catoosa County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Georgia Senate District 53 election in Georgia?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Georgia are on the Georgia election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Catoosa County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Catoosa County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Georgia election office, or see the full Catoosa County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
3 tracked races in Catoosa County, Georgia. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.