Columbia County, Georgia

Georgia House District 125

2 candidates are tracked for Georgia House District 125, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Gary Richardson and Leonard Hennessy. Candidate information follows official Columbia County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

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.

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, Gary Richardson, is on the ballot.

Georgia › Columbia County › Georgia House District 125

Gary Richardson

Republican Incumbent

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.

Biography

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.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Leonard Hennessy

Democratic

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.

Biography

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.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotGeorgia House District 127

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Georgia House District 125 in 2026?

When is the Georgia House District 125 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 Columbia 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 Columbia County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Georgia election office, or see the full Columbia County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Columbia County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Georgia House District 131 Columbia County Commission Chairman Columbia County Commission District 1 See all 11 Columbia County races

Candidate profiles

Gary Richardson, full profile Leonard Hennessy, full profile Official Georgia election office