Ceretta Smith
Ceretta Smith (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Georgia's 12th Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the 2026 election.
Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Ceretta Smith was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She served in the U.S. Army from 1992 to 2000. She graduated from Fayetteville Terry Sanford High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from the Minnesota Graduate School of Theology in 2004, a graduate degree from the Calvary Bible Institute in 2008, and a degree from Deeper Bible College in 2024. Her career experience includes working as a physical evaluation boards liaison officer at Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center, a union official, and a substitute teacher. Smith has been affiliated with the American Federation of Government Employees, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Sistah Soldiers United Organization.[1][2]
Elections
2026
See also: Georgia's 12th Congressional District election, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for U.S. House Georgia District 12
Ceretta Smith, Chris Stephens, Brianna Woodson, and Tori Branum are running in the general election for U.S. House Georgia District 12 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Ceretta Smith (D)  | |
 | Chris Stephens (D) | |
| Brianna Woodson (D) | ||
 | Tori Branum (R) | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2020
See also: Georgia State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for Georgia State Senate District 23
Max Burns defeated Ceretta Smith in the general election for Georgia State Senate District 23 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Max Burns (R) | 59.3 | 46,712 |
| Ceretta Smith (D) | 40.7 | 32,069 | |
| Total votes: 78,781 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Georgia State Senate District 23
Ceretta Smith advanced from the Democratic primary for Georgia State Senate District 23 on June 9, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ceretta Smith | 100.0 | 16,041 |
| Total votes: 16,041 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Georgia State Senate District 23
Max Burns defeated Trey Allen in the Republican primary for Georgia State Senate District 23 on June 9, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Max Burns | 54.4 | 9,640 |
| Trey Allen | 45.6 | 8,090 | ||
| Total votes: 17,730 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Ceretta Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Smith's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
Her life has been defined by service—first to her country, then to working families, and now to her community. Ceretta served nearly a decade as an Army medic, caring for soldiers in hospitals, clinics, and in the field while stationed in Germany. After her military service, she continued serving the nation for twenty-five years as a federal employee, where she became a strong advocate for labor, civil, and human rights. She rose through leadership ranks in the American Federation of Government Employees—the largest federal government union in the country—serving as Women’s and Fair Practices Coordinator, Chief Steward, Legislative Political Coordinator, Local President, Georgia State Council President, and ultimately National Fair Practices Coordinator.
As a Councilwoman in the City of Grovetown, Ceretta has been a hands-on leader who puts people first. She championed a citywide Literacy Initiative, distributing hundreds of books, reading to children about municipal government, and helping an after school program publish a children’s book. She has also completed hundreds of hours of municipal government training, ensuring she is well-prepared to serve her constituents effectively and responsibly- I’m running to restore trust in government by putting people before party. I will work across the aisle to deliver real results that strengthen families, support workers, and build an economy that works for everyone—not just the wealthy few.
- The heart of our campaign is economic opportunity—creating good-paying jobs, lowering costs, supporting small businesses and family farmers, and protecting Social Security and Medicare so hardworking Georgians can thrive from paycheck to retirement.
- From improving access to affordable healthcare and education to ensuring veterans and rural communities get the resources they deserve, I will fight every day for fairness, opportunity, and dignity for all who call Georgia’s 12th District home.
As a Union member and retired federal employee, I’ve spent my career fighting for fair wages, safe workplaces, and respect for the people who keep our country running. I’m committed to policies that grow our economy from the middle out—supporting workers, small businesses, and family farmers—while protecting the rights and benefits Americans have earned through a lifetime of hard work.
Elected officials should be held to the highest standards because they represent the trust and hopes of the people. I believe leaders must listen with compassion, act with integrity, and always put the needs of their constituents above personal or political gain.
A representative must also provide oversight to ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely, protect the rights and freedoms of all citizens, and support policies that strengthen the economy, healthcare, education, and national security.
The first major historical event I clearly remember was the Watergate scandal and the resignation of President Nixon in 1974. I was around six years old, and even at that age, I could sense that something very serious was happening in our country. It taught me early on about accountability and the importance of honesty in leadership—values that continue to guide me today.
Every struggle has strengthened my resolve to serve with understanding, humility, and heart—and to create policies that help families not just survive, but thrive.
The House is designed to reflect the diverse voices, values, and experiences that make up our nation. It is where ideas are debated, oversight is exercised, and laws begin that impact the everyday lives of Americans.
Having worked in government and served as an elected official, I’ve learned the importance of accountability, transparency, and collaboration. Experience doesn’t replace passion or new ideas—it enhances them. It allows leaders to turn good intentions into real results for the people they represent.
We are witnessing the unraveling of civility, integrity, and respect for truth—the very fabric that holds our democracy together. If we lose faith in our institutions and in each other, we risk losing the America that so many have fought and sacrificed to protect.
Term limits help ensure accountability, prevent complacency, and keep government responsive to the people it serves. Leadership should always be about passing the torch, not holding onto it.
However, there is a clear line I will never cross. I will never compromise my moral compass, my values, or my oath to uphold the law and serve honorably. Productive compromise can move our nation forward, but it must always be guided by honesty, respect, and a shared commitment to doing what is right for the American people.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2020
Ceretta Smith did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
|
Candidate U.S. House Georgia District 12 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 9, 2025
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Ceretta Smith," accessed October 20, 2025
.svg.png){kind=small}
