Oconee County, Georgia

Georgia House District 120

2 candidates are tracked for Georgia House District 120, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Gary "Ward" Black Jr. and Suzanna Karatassos. Candidate information follows official Oconee County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Gary "Ward" Black Jr. (Republican), Suzanna Karatassos (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Rep. Houston Gaines (Republican), the sitting member per the General Assembly's roster, is not on the November ballot. 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.

Georgia › Oconee County › Georgia House District 120

Gary "Ward" Black Jr.

Republican

Top priorities

Infrastructure investment to reduce traffic congestion
Strengthen early literacy in K-12 schools
Support small businesses and farmers

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Gary "Ward" Black Jr. is the Republican candidate for Georgia House District 120 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. Black is the owner and CEO of Solid Ground Services and Supply and a partner in Harmony Grove Farms and Harmony Grove Plant Company, with more than 15 years in agribusiness and supply chain logistics, per Main Street News. He is a University of Georgia graduate and the son of former Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, per the same report.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Suzanna Karatassos

Democratic

Top priorities

Affordable healthcare
Lower utility and housing costs
Fully funded public schools

Per the Flagpole.

Biography

Suzanna Karatassos spent 17 years in the apparel industry, including a year working in Amsterdam, before returning to the Athens area during the COVID-19 pandemic, per Main Street News. She lives in Jackson County with her husband and daughter, per Flagpole.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotGeorgia House District 121

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Georgia House District 120 in 2026?

When is the Georgia House District 120 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 Oconee 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 Oconee County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Oconee County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Georgia Senate District 46 See all 3 Oconee County races

Candidate profiles

Gary "Ward" Black Jr., full profile Suzanna Karatassos, full profile Official Georgia election office