Georgia's 12th Congressional District election, 2026 (May 19 Democratic primary)

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Georgia's 12th Congressional District
Democratic primary Republican primary General election
Election details
Filing deadline: March 6, 2026
Primary: May 19, 2026 Primary runoff: June 16, 2026 General: November 3, 2026 General runoff: December 1, 2026
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voting in Georgia
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Republican DDHQ and The Hill: Pending Inside Elections: Solid Republican Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Republican
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
See also
Georgia's 12th Congressional District U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th • 9th • 10th • 11th • 12th • 13th • 14th Georgia elections, 2026 U.S. Congress elections, 2026 U.S. Senate elections, 2026 U.S. House elections, 2026 Alabama U.S. House racesAlaska U.S. House raceArizona U.S. House racesArkansas U.S. House racesCalifornia U.S. House racesColorado U.S. House racesConnecticut U.S. House racesDelaware U.S. House raceFlorida U.S. House racesGeorgia U.S. House racesHawaii U.S. House racesIdaho U.S. House racesIllinois U.S. House racesIndiana U.S. House racesIowa U.S. House racesKansas U.S. House racesKentucky U.S. House racesLouisiana U.S. House racesMaine U.S. House racesMaryland U.S. House racesMassachusetts U.S. House racesMichigan U.S. House racesMinnesota U.S. House racesMississippi U.S. House racesMissouri U.S. House racesMontana U.S. House racesNebraska U.S. House racesNevada U.S. House racesNew Hampshire U.S. House racesNew Jersey U.S. House racesNew Mexico U.S. House racesNew York U.S. House racesNorth Carolina U.S. House racesNorth Dakota U.S. House raceOhio U.S. House racesOklahoma U.S. House racesOregon U.S. House racesPennsylvania U.S. House racesRhode Island U.S. House racesSouth Carolina U.S. House racesSouth Dakota U.S. House raceTennessee U.S. House racesTexas U.S. House racesUtah U.S. House racesVermont U.S. House raceVirginia U.S. House racesWashington U.S. House racesWest Virginia U.S. House racesWisconsin U.S. House racesWyoming U.S. House raceSubmit

A Democratic Party primary takes place on May 19, 2026, in Georgia's 12th Congressional District to determine which Democratic candidate will run in the district's general election on November 3, 2026.

Candidate filing deadline	Primary election	General election
March 6, 2026	May 19, 2026	November 3, 2026

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Georgia utilizes an open primary system, in which any voter can participate in a political party's primary election regardless of their partisan affiliation. A candidate must win a majority of votes cast in the primary in order to win the election. If no candidate wins an outright majority, a runoff primary is held between the top two vote-getters.

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

This page focuses on Georgia's 12th Congressional District Democratic primary. For more in-depth information on the district's Republican primary and the general election, see the following pages:

• Georgia's 12th Congressional District election, 2026 (May 19 Republican primary)
• Georgia's 12th Congressional District election, 2026

Candidates and election results

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 12

Traci George (D), Tracell Peace-Nichols (D), Ceretta Smith (D), Chris Stephens (D), and Brianna Woodson (D) are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 12 on May 19, 2026.

		Candidate
		Traci George
		Tracell Peace-Nichols
		Ceretta Smith
		Chris Stephens
		Brianna Woodson

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
= 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.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Robert Dixon (D)

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Tracell Peace-Nichols

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Submitted Biography:  "Tracell Peace-Nichols is an attorney who lives in Georgia and owns Peace-Nichols Law Office, LLC. She is a Christian, a wife, and mom of 5 children. Tracell is honored to have been born into a family with so many military veterans, to highlight just a few; her parents served in military intelligence in the Army; her stepfather served in the Marines; and Tracell's grandfather James T. Peace, affectionately called "poppy," served in the Army during World War II. Tracell graduated from Augusta State University in 2007 with her bachelor's degree in political science. Shortly after, Tracell began her almost 18-year career in public service with her first position as a misdemeanor probation officer for 3 years, promoted to supervisor after 1 year. In 2010, Tracell began her employment with the State of Georgia as a probation officer. During that time, she earned her master’s degree in criminal justice in 2011, a second master’s degree in international relations in 2014, while receiving several promotions within the department, including Assistant Chief Community Supervision Officer in 2015. Tracell attended law school part-time from 2016-2020, obtaining her Juris Doctor in early 2020, still working full-time. In 2021, Tracell was sworn in as a prosecutor in the Augusta Judicial Circuit, however in early 2025, Tracell achieved a lifelong dream of being her own "boss" when she opened "Peace-Nichols Law Office, LLC." The rest is still unwritten..."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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Peace 4 All is a state of mind of the Peace-Nichols 4 All for Congress Campaign. Our campaign is hyper focused on supporting and uplifting our communities out of poverty through prosperity. After years in law enforcement, Tracell Peace-Nichols is more commonly known as Peace in our communities. Tracell Peace-Nichols serves as the leader of the Peace-Nichols 4 All for Congress Campaign, but she is the one led by the people of Georgia’s 12th Congressional District. She remains fueled to advocate against injustices we all see each day and fight for the little people; while so many people in power or seeking it are more concerned with glorified moments or endless selfies like they are playing some idolized figure in a low budget movie.

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Peace-Nichols 4 All for Congress Campaign strives to be the change we want to see in this world. Many people dislike politicians because so many are phony, dishonest, self-interested, and care more about their personal agendas or fattening their own pockets, instead of fulfilling their campaign promises of supporting the needs of the everyday person. Tracell Peace-Nichols is changing the lives of members in our communities by challenging negative associations with politicians by leading by example. She reminds our community that the individuals working in noble positions such as our teachers, nurses, firefighters, and military are "the person or people in the jersey that make the jersey noble; the jersey does not make the person!"

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Since Tracell Peace-Nichols was a child, her mother always said that she beat to the tune of her own drum, and up until a couple of years ago, she thought that was a bad thing. But her mother understood that she did not just conform to the status quo. Tracell has always fought on behalf of others that could not speak or fight for themselves and is a leader that gets in the trenches alongside our people. She is a leader that works with the people to create solutions to our communities' problems and then conveys the will of the people to get the job done. Follow what the Peace-Nichols 4 All for Congress Campaign does, and many others just talk about doing! "Here am I, send me!" Isaiah 6:8 Peace-Purpose-Prosperity, Peace 4 All!

Ceretta Smith

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Submitted Biography:  "Ceretta Smith is a proud U.S. Army Veteran, wife, mother, grandmother, faith leader, small business owner, and dedicated public servant. For the past twenty years, she has called Grovetown home, where she lives with her husband, Retired Sergeant First Class Sterling Vandolph Smith. 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"

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Chris Stephens

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Submitted Biography:  "I was born and raised in Loris, South Carolina, where my parents worked hard to provide for me and my sister — my father as a diesel mechanic and my mother as a factory worker who went on to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse. Like so many in our district, I grew up in a working-class household that taught me the value of hard work, fairness, and treating people with dignity. At 16, I joined the police explorers program, and by 18, I was serving as an emergency dispatcher. At 21, I became a police officer — a role I held for 15 years. I know what it means to stand on the front lines, to listen when people are at their most vulnerable, and to serve with integrity. Service has always been at the center of my life. I led an LGBTQ+ community center that provided support, resources, and a safe place for people and their families. I also built a small business from the ground up while working full time and earning an associate degree in criminal justice, a bachelor’s in political science, and a master’s in public administration. I’m running for Congress because I believe every person deserves a fair shot — to work, to raise a family, to live with dignity. My campaign is built on three principles: Community, Fairness, and Dignity. Those aren’t just words. They’re the values I’ve lived by my entire life. And that’s the kind of leadership I’ll take to Congress. I’m not a career politician. I’m a career public servant."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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Strong communities don’t happen by accident. They are built through safe neighborhoods, good schools, affordable housing, and local businesses that keep our economy moving. They grow when families have access to fresh food, kids have safe places to play, and neighbors have spaces to come together. As your Congressman, I’ll fight to make sure GA-12 gets its fair share of resources and investment.

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Fairness is dignity in action — and it’s how we make sure every family in GA-12 gets a fair shot. Fairness means that if you work hard, you ought to be able to support your family. It means our veterans shouldn’t have to fight the VA to get the benefits they’ve earned. It means your zip code shouldn’t determine your access to healthcare, good schools, or job opportunities. As your Congressman, I’ll fight for fairness by: Raising wages and lowering costs I’ll fight for policies that help working families — from raising wages to lowering the cost of prescription drugs and utilities. Tax fairness I’ll work toward a tax system where corporations and the wealthiest pay their share, so working families and small businesses aren’t carrying

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Dignity Every person deserves to live with dignity. No matter who you are, where you come from, or what stage of life you’re in, you should be treated with respect and valued for your contribution to our community. For me, dignity means respect in action. It means making sure seniors can retire without fear, veterans get the care they earned, and working families don’t have to sacrifice their health or their children’s future just to get by.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Georgia

Election information in Georgia: May 19, 2026, election.

What is the voter registration deadline?

• In-person: April 20, 2026
• By mail: Postmarked by April 20, 2026
• Online: April 20, 2026

Is absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

Yes

What is the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

• In-person: May 8, 2026
• By mail: Received by May 8, 2026
• Online: May 8, 2026

What is the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

• In-person: May 19, 2026
• By mail: Received by May 19, 2026

Is early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What are the early voting start and end dates?

April 27, 2026 to May 15, 2026

Are all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, is a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When are polls open on Election Day?

7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (ET)

Campaign finance

Name	Party	Receipts*	Disbursements**	Cash on hand	Date
Traci George	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Tracell Peace-Nichols	Democratic Party	$6,680	$1,747	$4,933	As of December 31, 2025
Ceretta Smith	Democratic Party	$7,353	$3,387	$3,967	As of December 31, 2025
Chris Stephens	Democratic Party	$6,282	$5,316	$966	As of December 31, 2025
Brianna Woodson	Democratic Party	$12,294	$6,562	$-66	As of December 31, 2025
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). * According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." ** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election. *** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

District analysis

Click the tabs below to view information about voter composition, past elections, and demographics in both the district and the state.

• District map - A map of the district in place for the election.
• Competitiveness - Information about the competitiveness of 2026 U.S. House elections in the state.
• Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the district and the state.
• State party control - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.

• District map
• Competitiveness
• Presidential elections
• State party control

Below is the district map in place for this election. Click the map below to enlarge it.

See also: Primary election competitiveness in state and federal government, 2026

Information about competitiveness will be added here as it becomes available.

Partisan Voter Index

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is R+7. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 7 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Georgia's 12th the 174th most Republican district nationally.

2020 presidential election results

The table below shows what the vote in the 2024 presidential election was in this district. The presidential election data was compiled by The Downballot.

2024 presidential results in Georgia's 12th Congressional District

Kamala Harris	Donald Trump
43.0%	57.0%

Presidential voting history

See also: Presidential election in Georgia, 2024

Georgia presidential election results (1900-2024)

• 20 Democratic wins
• 11 Republican wins
• 1 other win

Year	1900	1904	1908	1912	1916	1920	1924	1928	1932	1936	1940	1944	1948	1952	1956	1960	1964	1968	1972	1976	1980	1984	1988	1992	1996	2000	2004	2008	2012	2016	2020	2024
Winning Party	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	AI	R	D	D	R	R	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	R

See also: Party control of Georgia state government

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Georgia's congressional delegation as of January 2026.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Georgia
Party	U.S. Senate	U.S. House	Total
Democratic	2	5	7
Republican	0	8	8
Independent	0	0	0
Vacancies	0	1	1
Total	2	14	16

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Georgia's top four state executive offices as of October 2025.

State executive officials in Georgia, October 2025

Office	Officeholder
Governor	Brian Kemp
Lieutenant Governor	Burt Jones
Secretary of State	Brad Raffensperger
Attorney General	Chris Carr

State legislature

Georgia State Senate

Party		As of February 2026
	Democratic Party	23
	Republican Party	31
	Other	0
	Vacancies	2
Total		56

Georgia House of Representatives

Party		As of February 2026
	Democratic Party	79
	Republican Party	99
	Other	0
	Vacancies	2
Total		180

Trifecta control

Georgia Party Control: 1992-2025
Eleven years of Democratic trifectas  •  Twenty-one years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25
Governor	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
Senate	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
House	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R

Ballot access

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Georgia in the 2026 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Georgia, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2026
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source
Georgia	U.S. House	Ballot-qualified party	N/A	$5,220	3/6/2026	Source
Georgia	U.S. House	Unaffiliated	27,992	$5,220	7/14/2026	Source

See also

• Georgia's 12th Congressional District election, 2026 (May 19 Republican primary)
• Georgia's 12th Congressional District election, 2026
• United States House elections in Georgia, 2026 (May 19 Democratic primaries)
• United States House elections in Georgia, 2026 (May 19 Republican primaries)
• United States House Democratic Party primaries, 2026
• United States House Republican Party primaries, 2026
• United States House of Representatives elections, 2026
• U.S. House battlegrounds, 2026

External links

Suggest a link

• Search Google News for this topic

Footnotes

[show]

Georgia's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Jon Ossoff (D)

Raphael Warnock (D)

Representatives

District 1

Earl Carter (R)

District 2

Sanford Bishop (D)

District 3

Brian Jack (R)

District 4

Hank Johnson (D)

District 5

Nikema Williams (D)

District 6

Lucy McBath (D)

District 7

Rich McCormick (R)

District 8

Austin Scott (R)

District 9

Andrew Clyde (R)

District 10

Mike Collins (R)

District 11

Barry Loudermilk (R)

District 12

Rick Allen (R)

District 13

David Scott (D)

District 14

Vacant

Republican Party (8)

Democratic Party (7)

Vacancies (1)

2025-2026 Elections to the United States Congress

Senate by State

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House by State

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Election information

Ballot access for major and minor party candidates • List of candidates running for election • List of congressional challengers • Retiring senators • Retiring representatives

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Super PACs/Organizations

American Bridge 21st Century • American Crossroads • American Unity PAC • Campaign for Primary Accountability • Club for Growth Action • Congressional Leadership Fund • Cooperative of American Physicians IE Committee• Crossroads Generation • Ending Spending Action Fund • Endorse Liberty • Fair Share Action • FreedomWorks for America • Government Integrity Fund • House Majority PAC • Independence USA Fund • League of Conservation Voters • Liberty for All PAC • Majority PAC • National Association of Realtors • NEA Advocacy Fund • Now or Never PAC • Planned Parenthood Votes • Ready for Hillary • Republicans for a Prosperous America • Restore America's Voice PAC • SEIU Pea-Federal • Women Vote!

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