2 candidates are tracked for Georgia Senate District 56, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: John Albers and Patrick Thompson. Candidate information follows official Cherokee County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
John Albers (Republican), Patrick Thompson (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; John Albers 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, John Albers, is on the ballot.
Georgia › Cherokee County › Georgia Senate District 56
Republican Incumbent
Per the campaign site.
John Albers is a fourth generation firefighter and former EMT who also has a background as a business executive, per the campaign site. He represents Georgia's 56th Senate District and chairs the Senate Committee on Public Safety, per the campaign site.
Democratic
Per the campaign statement.
Patrick Thompson is an entrepreneur with a career in information technology, including work for Ross Perot's firm, and now focuses on renewable energy and electric vehicle businesses in Georgia, per Patch. He has received a Presidential Volunteer Service Award and has served as a scoutmaster. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Who is running for Georgia Senate District 56 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for Georgia Senate District 56, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: John Albers and Patrick Thompson. Candidate information follows official Cherokee County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Georgia Senate District 56 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 Cherokee 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 Cherokee County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Georgia election office, or see the full Cherokee County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
20 tracked races in Cherokee County, Georgia. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.