The Ballot Brief
Fulton County, Georgia

Georgia Senate District 39

2 candidates are tracked for Georgia Senate District 39, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: John F. Guest, Jr. and Sonya Halpern. Candidate information follows official Fulton County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

John F. Guest, Jr. (Republican), Sonya Halpern (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Sonya Halpern 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, Sonya Halpern, is on the ballot.

Georgia › Fulton County › Georgia Senate District 39

John F. Guest, Jr.

Republican

Biography

John F. Guest, Jr. is the Republican candidate for Georgia Senate District 39 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.

Sonya Halpern

Sonya Halpern

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Early literacy, including the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026 placing literacy coaches in K-3 schools
  • Affordability for working families facing rising housing and healthcare costs
  • Access and equity in education, healthcare and economic opportunity

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Halpern is an entrepreneur with a background in business and community service who has worked with arts organizations, per the campaign site. She serves on the board of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta and is running for Georgia Senate District 39, per the campaign site.

Next on your ballotGeorgia Senate District 48

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Georgia Senate District 39 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Georgia Senate District 39, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: John F. Guest, Jr. and Sonya Halpern. Candidate information follows official Fulton County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Georgia Senate District 39 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 Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Fulton County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Georgia Senate District 56Georgia House District 25Georgia House District 47See all 37 Fulton County races
Candidate profiles
John F. Guest, Jr., full profileSonya Halpern, full profileOfficial Georgia election office