The Ballot Brief
Cobb County, Georgia

Georgia Senate District 56

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 Cobb County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

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.

What this office does

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 › Cobb County › Georgia Senate District 56

John Albers

John Albers

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • supports legislation protecting emergency communications for first responders
  • supports property tax reduction and eliminating the state income tax

Per the campaign site.

Biography

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.

Patrick Thompson

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Affordable healthcare
  • Support for public schools
  • Sustainable job creation and smart growth, including expanded transit

Per the campaign statement.

Biography

Patrick Thompson is a Democratic candidate for Georgia Senate District 56 and a clean energy entrepreneur, per his campaign site.

Next on your ballotGeorgia House District 19

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

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 Cobb 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 Cobb 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.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Cobb 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 Cobb County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Cobb County ballot

29 tracked races in Cobb County, Georgia. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Georgia House District 22Georgia House District 34Georgia House District 35See all 29 Cobb County races
Candidate profiles
John Albers, full profilePatrick Thompson, full profileOfficial Georgia election office