Columbia County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
20 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 11 Columbia County races, led by the Columbia County Commission Chairman contest.
County offices
Commission ChairmanAlison Couch (R) · Cambrey Wood (D)
Alison Couch
Top priorities
- Reduce the property tax burden by managing growth and expanding the tax base
- Plan infrastructure (roads, water systems, schools) to keep pace with county growth
- Support first responders and public safety during the county's expansion
Per the campaign site.
About Alison Couch
Alison Couch is a small-business owner, accountant, and current Columbia County Commissioner for District 4, per the campaign site.
Cambrey Wood
Top priorities
- Increase transparency and public participation in county government
- Maximize SPLOST funding for infrastructure and public safety while overseeing the county budget responsibly
- Balance new development with environmental preservation as the county grows
Per the campaign site.
About Cambrey Wood
Wood served as a company commander in the U.S. Army, leading more than 200 soldiers during Hurricane Rita response and a deployment to Iraq, per the campaign site. Wood also served as Chief of Engineering and Construction at Eisenhower Army Medical Center and as a senior project manager on military construction projects worldwide, per the campaign site.
Republican District 4 Commissioner Alison Couch won the Democratic nomination over former Grovetown mayor Gary Jones in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary, 9,836 votes (50.3%) to 9,727 (49.7%), avoiding a runoff by 109 votes (per the Augusta Press and WRDW). Cambrey Wood was unopposed. Sitting Chairman Doug Duncan, whose term ends in 2026, is not seeking re-election to the seat (per the county's official Board of Commissioners page), making this an open seat. Couch faces Wood on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot.
Full race pageCommission District 1Alex Griffin (R) · Michael Jordan (D)
Alex Griffin (Republican) and Michael Jordan (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Columbia County Commission District 1.
Alex Griffin
Top priorities
- Fiscal stewardship and responsible growth management
- Strengthen local infrastructure and support small businesses
Per the campaign site.
About Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin, Assistant Vice President of Innovation at the Medical College of Georgia Foundation, holds an MBA from UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School and previously served two years on Columbia County's Board of Assessors, per his campaign site and the Augusta Press.
Michael Jordan
Top priorities
- Improve transparency about how county tax dollars are spent
- Give residents more information before decisions such as data-center approvals
Per the Augusta Press.
About Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is the Democratic nominee for Columbia County Commission District 1. He says he wants to improve transparency around how tax dollars are spent and get residents more information before decisions like data-center approvals, per the Augusta Press.
Alex Griffin won a four-way Republican primary field by defeating Bobby Timmerman in the June 16, 2026 runoff, 2,778 votes (59.7%) to 1,875 (40.2%), after neither led the May 19 primary to a majority; James Van Meter was eliminated in the first round (per the Augusta Press). Michael Jordan was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Sitting District 1 Commissioner Connie Melear, whose term ends in 2026, is not seeking re-election (per the county's official Board of Commissioners page), making this an open seat. Griffin faces Jordan in November.
Full race pageCommission District 4Al Reeves (R) · Samantha Rockwood (D)
Al Reeves (Republican) and Samantha Rockwood (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Columbia County Commission District 4.
Al Reeves
Top priorities
- Open, transparent government that listens to and acts on district concerns
- Fiscal responsibility and protecting taxpayers
- Support local businesses and preserve quality of life in the district
Per the campaign site.
About Al Reeves
Al Reeves is a 2026 candidate for Columbia County Commission District 4, per the campaign site.
Samantha Rockwood
Top priorities
- Listen to District 4 residents and post responses to their questions
- Clean air and water, holding companies accountable
- Manage growth in Grovetown, Harlem and Appling with pride for the next generation
Per the campaign site.
About Samantha Rockwood
Samantha Rockwood is a paralegal pursuing a psychology degree who grew up in Syracuse, New York, and has lived in the Columbia County area for more than a decade, per the campaign site.
Al Reeves was unopposed for the Republican nomination and Samantha Rockwood was unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the May 19, 2026 primary. Sitting District 4 Commissioner Alison Couch, whose term ends in 2026, ran for Chairman instead of re-election to this seat, making it an open seat (per the county's official Board of Commissioners page). Reeves faces Rockwood in November.
Full race pageDistrict Attorney, Columbia Judicial CircuitNatalie Paine (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Natalie Paine (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for District Attorney, Columbia Judicial Circuit.
Natalie Paine
Natalie Paine is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for District Attorney, Columbia Judicial Circuit, per the county's official candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Natalie Paine is unopposed for re-election as District Attorney of the Columbia Judicial Circuit, a circuit created by the Georgia legislature in 2021 encompassing Columbia County (per the county build brief and the Georgia Secretary of State's qualified-candidates records).
Full race pageDistricts and boards
Soil and Water Conservation District SupervisorNonpartisan race · John Paul Richardson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
John Paul Richardson
John Paul Richardson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Columbia County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
John Paul Richardson qualified for one of Columbia County's elected Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor seats and is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the county's official 2026 election information page. He is not a current supervisor: the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission's official supervisor roster for Columbia County lists Rick Crawford Jr. (appointed chairman), John Shearouse (appointed), Beverly Hardaway and Bob Anderson (elected), with one elected seat vacant.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Columbia County is split across 6 Georgia Senate and House districts.
Find your districts by addressGeorgia Senate: 2 districtsDistricts 23, 24
Georgia Senate District 23Max Burns (R) · Shayna Boston (D)
Max Burns
Top priorities
- Keeping government within its role to secure funding and local control for school systems
- Improving rural healthcare access and affordability
- Advocating for agricultural interests and expanding broadband connectivity
Per the campaign site.
About Max Burns
Max Burns is a former Congressman, educator, business leader and farmer, per his campaign site. He represents Senate District 23, per his campaign site.
Shayna Boston
Top priorities
- Strengthening public education and supporting higher teacher pay
- Expanding mental health resources and affordable healthcare options
- Supporting working families and small businesses, including pathways to homeownership
Per the campaign site.
About Shayna Boston
Shayna Boston is an educator, entrepreneur, and community advocate who grew up in Swainsboro in Emanuel County, Georgia, per the campaign site. Her grandfather was the county's first Black assistant superintendent, an influence she cites in her commitment to education and service, per the campaign site.
Max Burns (Republican), Shayna Boston (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Max Burns 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.
Full race pageGeorgia Senate District 24Lee Anderson (R) · Lorraine V Thomas (D)
Lee Anderson
Lee Anderson is a small businessman and farmer who operates a family farm in Columbia County that his family has worked since the early 1900s, per his official Senate biography. He attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, previously served in the State House from 2009 to 2012, and has represented Senate District 24 since 2016, per his official Senate biography. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Lorraine V Thomas
Top priorities
- Advocating for veterans, seniors and working families' access to services
- Addressing rising electricity costs linked to data center growth
- Protecting farmland through responsible zoning
Per the campaign site.
About Lorraine V Thomas
Thomas is a Gulf War veteran and nurse, per the campaign site.
Lee Anderson (Republican), Lorraine V Thomas (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Lee Anderson 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.
Full race pageGeorgia House: 4 districtsDistricts 123, 125, 127, 131
Georgia House District 123Rob Leverett (R) · Hope S. Beard (D)
Rob Leverett
Leverett is a lawyer and small business owner who has run a general civil law practice in Elberton for more than 30 years, representing the City of Hartwell and the Development Authority of Elbert County, per the campaign site. He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law and chairs the Elbert County Library Board, per the campaign site. He is a sitting state representative running for re-election to Georgia House District 123, per the campaign site.
Hope S. Beard
Top priorities
- Education and school safety
- Medicaid expansion
- Rural mental health access
Per the campaign site.
About Hope S. Beard
Hope S. Beard is the Democratic candidate for Georgia House District 123 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. Beard is a business owner and licensed professional counselor who leads House of Hope Counseling Services, per her Vote-USA voter guide profile. She was born in Augusta and is making a second run for the District 123 seat, per the same profile. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Rob Leverett (Republican), Hope S. Beard (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Rob Leverett 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.
Full race pageGeorgia House District 125Gary Richardson (R) · Leonard Hennessy (D)
Gary Richardson
Top priorities
- Supports capping property tax increases and cutting income taxes
- Supports lawsuit and insurance reform to lower insurance costs for businesses
Per the campaign site.
About Gary Richardson
Gary Richardson is the Republican state representative for Georgia House District 125, covering Columbia and McDuffie counties, per his campaign site. He was elected to the seat in a March 2024 special election runoff after previously serving eight years on the Columbia County Board of Commissioners, including as vice-chair, per his campaign site.
Leonard Hennessy
Top priorities
- Targeted tax relief for essential service workers, retirees and teachers
- Expanding healthcare access, including for rural veterans
- Prioritizing rural communities in water and natural resource management
Per the campaign site.
About Leonard Hennessy
Hennessy is a Navy Commander and business owner who is a widower with personal experience navigating healthcare challenges within his family, per the campaign site.
Gary Richardson (Republican), Leonard Hennessy (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Gary Richardson 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.
Full race pageGeorgia House District 127Mark Newton (R) · Channing Von-T Taylor (D)
Mark Newton
Mark Newton is a board-certified emergency physician practicing in Augusta, according to his official Georgia House of Representatives biography. He is the founder and chief executive officer of MedNow Urgent Care Centers, per the same biography. Newton represents Georgia House District 127. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Channing Von-T Taylor
Channing Von-T Taylor is the Democratic candidate for Georgia House District 127 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.
Mark Newton (Republican), Channing Von-T Taylor (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Mark Newton 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.
Full race pageGeorgia House District 131Rob Clifton (R) · Jenny E Eppard (D)
Rob Clifton
Top priorities
- support for families through childcare initiatives
- lower taxes and support for small businesses
- public safety and infrastructure investment
Per the campaign site.
About Rob Clifton
Rob Clifton is a candidate for Georgia House District 131, representing Columbia County. He is CEO of Clifton Construction and a member of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, per his campaign site. Clifton is a graduate of Leadership Augusta and Leadership Columbia County, per his campaign site.
Jenny E Eppard
Top priorities
- Gun safety measures
Per Georgia Majority for Gun Safety candidate pledge.
About Jenny E Eppard
Jenny E Eppard is the Democratic candidate for Georgia House District 131 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.
Rob Clifton (Republican), Jenny E Eppard (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Rob Clifton 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.
Full race pageSee your full ballot
Voting info and more
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Verify your ballot with the official election office.
Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
Georgia nominees were set by the May 19 primary and June 16 runoffs; unopposed nominees still print on November 3, and any November race without a majority winner goes to a December 1 runoff, per state law.
Who is on the ballot in Columbia County, Georgia on November 3, 2026?
Columbia County sample ballot 2026: see where the commission chairman, commission and soil and water conservation candidates stand on schools and roads. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in Georgia?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Georgia are listed on the Georgia election hub. Georgia election hub →
How do I see my exact Columbia County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
Georgia statewide racesEvery Georgia race on this county's ballot.All Georgia ballot measures3 statewide ballot measuresCandidate roster last updated Sep 25, 2026 from official election sources.