Georgia's 1st Congressional District election, 2026 (May 19 Democratic primary)

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Georgia's 1st 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 1st 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 1st 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 is one of 51 open races for the U.S. House of Representatives this year in which an incumbent is not running for re-election. Across the country, 21 Democrats and 30 Republicans are not running for re-election. In 2024, 45 incumbents — 24 Democrats and 21 Republicans — did not seek re-election.

This page focuses on Georgia's 1st 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 1st Congressional District election, 2026 (May 19 Republican primary)
• Georgia's 1st Congressional District election, 2026

Candidates and election results

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1

The following candidates are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 1 on May 19, 2026.

		Candidate
		Defonsio Daniels
		Joyce Marie Griggs
		Amanda Hollowell
		Michael McCord
		Joseph Palimeno
		Sharon Stokes-Williamson
	Submit photo	Patrick Wilver
		Randy Zurcher

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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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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.

Defonsio Daniels

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Submitted Biography:  "I am a Marine veteran, retired law enforcement officer, and lifelong advocate for community service. My journey has been defined by overcoming personal hardships, serving my country and community, and dedicating my career to protecting and assisting others. Raised in a family that struggled financially, I learned the value of hard work early, enlisting in the Marine Corps and later transitioning into federal law enforcement. As a father, husband, and local leader, I strive to unite and empower residents of Georgia’s First District lifting those who feel unheard, fighting for accountability, and bringing rational, caring leadership to Congress. My story is one of resilience, empathy, and a profound commitment to putting constituents first. I know firsthand what it’s like to claw your way from the bottom and the determination it takes to rise. My journey could be a roadmap for others to emulate. Every challenge I’ve faced only strengthened my understanding of the people I serve and my resolve to fight for real opportunity and fairness. I believe our futures are built on perseverance, integrity, and working together to transform hardship into hope, qualities I offer in service to my district."

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Key Messages

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

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Accountability and transparency in government are essential. I will foster open, honest communication with residents through regular town hall meetings, clear reporting, and direct engagement to ensure every voice is heard and respected. Restoring trust in public office is my unwavering commitment.

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Healthcare, housing, and education must be accessible to all. By expanding Medicaid, investing in public health and mental health supports, and advocating for affordable housing, I pledge to address the issues that matter most to working families, veterans, and our seniors in every community.

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Investing in strong local economies and infrastructure is critical for future generations. I will prioritize job growth, technology innovation, and rural development, driving policies that bring economic opportunities, preserve our environment, and strengthen community safety.

Amanda Hollowell

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Submitted Biography:  "Amanda Hollowell is a nationally recognized political strategist and community leader running for Congress in Georgia’s 1st District. She currently serves as Chief of Campaigns at Color Of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, where she manages multimillion-dollar initiatives and leads campaigns for voting rights, economic justice, and corporate accountability. She previously directed national organizing efforts at When We All Vote, founded by Michelle Obama, and led advocacy campaigns at the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute and 9to5 Georgia. Amanda has been recognized by Essence, Forbes, USA Today, and Black Enterprise, and honored by Georgia Trend Magazine, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Savannah Business Journal. In Savannah, she has served more than a decade on the Black Heritage Festival Committee and on the boards of Reform Georgia, the League of Women Voters of Coastal Georgia, and the Georgia Alliance for Social Justice. She is a member of The Links, Incorporated, and a graduate of the Georgia WIN List Leadership Academy. A UC Berkeley graduate, Amanda is also a mother and full-time caregiver to her veteran father. These experiences shape her priorities: fully funded schools, affordable healthcare, higher wages, climate resilience, and stronger democracy. She is running to put people, not politics, first in Southeast Georgia."

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Key Messages

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

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Every person who works in Georgia’s 1st Congressional District should be able to live and thrive here. Families are being priced out by rising housing costs, low wages, and lack of investment in our communities. I will fight to raise wages, expand affordable housing, and ensure federal resources flow directly into Southeast Georgia. Our economy should center working families, not just corporations, and every worker deserves a fair chance to build stability where they live and work. Affordable living means dignity, security, and the ability to put down roots in the place we call home.

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Every child deserves a quality education that leads to opportunity. From early learning to high school, college, or technical training, we must invest in our children and prepare them for good-paying jobs right here at home. In Congress, I will fight to fully fund public schools, support teachers, expand universal pre-K, and strengthen apprenticeships and workforce development programs. Education is the foundation of strong communities and a strong economy, and I will work to ensure every student in Georgia’s 1st District has the tools to succeed.

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In Georgia’s 1st District, cuts to funding and resources are putting a strain on care for families, seniors, and veterans. Too many residents struggle with long waits, high costs, or limited access to doctors close to home. I will fight to expand Medicaid, strengthen veteran services, and lower out-of-pocket costs so healthcare is affordable and accessible for every family in Southeast Georgia. No one should have to leave their community or risk financial ruin to get the care they need. Healthcare is a human right, and I will work to protect it.

Michael McCord

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Submitted Biography:  "McCord, who grew up in a trailer and worked in automotive manufacturing and warehouses before building a successful consulting firm, says his campaign is about restoring common sense and working-class representation to Washington. Since 2019, his business consulting work has saved small businesses across South Carolina and Georgia over $1.5 million last year alone, working with some of Savannah's most well-known businesses to help them navigate economic challenges."

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Key Messages

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

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"This campaign isn't about left vs. right. It's about right vs. wrong. We need leaders who won't sell us out — who'll show up in every corner of this district, not just when it's convenient or politically safe. While my likely opponent Jim Kingston may have his father's name and Wall Street connections, I have something more valuable: real experience helping working families and small businesses survive

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"I wasn't born into politics. I was born into struggle. I've punched a clock. I've swept shop floors. I've also sat at boardroom tables. I know what it means to fight your way up — and I'm running to fight for the folks who are being left behind by both parties."

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Common Ground, Uncommon Results Common sense solutions for working people

Randy Zurcher

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Submitted Biography:  "Who I Am (And Who I’m Not) I’m from Spencer, Oklahoma — a small town of just 3,830. I finished high school in even smaller Adair, graduated from John Brown University in Arkansas, served two terms on the Fayetteville City Council, and have called Savannah home since 2003. I’m not a career politician — I’m a husband, father, soccer coach, union rep, and licensed Realtor. Just a regular guy standing up for working people. I’ve always backed the underdog. My only arrest? Trying to save a historic grove of trees in the ’90s. This fight goes way back. I started thinking seriously about this race because I couldn’t stomach what Buddy Carter has done — trying to overturn the 2020 election, turning his back on Capitol Police, and now siding with January 6th insurrectionists. He’s eyeing the Senate, and Republicans will likely run another billionaire-backed MAGA loyalist. Not on my watch. I’m running because it’s time we held this broken system—and those breaking it—accountable. I’ll fight to protect the benefits we’ve earned: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and care for veterans. I’ll stand with working families, defend our rights, and push back against leaders who treat the Constitution like an inconvenience. This fight is personal—for all of us. And I’m ready to get to work."

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Key Messages

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

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Hands Off Our Earned Benefits! President Trump and the GOP gave Elon Musk and his unqualified “DOGE team” unprecedented access to vital institutions—while slashing Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the VA, and public services. Why? To fund tax breaks for billionaires. That’s not reform—it’s betrayal. These programs aren’t bargaining chips. We paid into them with every paycheck. Hands off. If elected, I’ll restore funding, reverse cuts, and ensure professionals—not cronies—run these services. I’ll fight to protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA—because these promises must be kept. The stakes are high. Let’s defend what’s ours.

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Rule of Law: Under Threat Trump attacked judges, politicized the DOJ, defied oversight, spread election lies, and pardoned allies—all while encouraging lawlessness and punishing whistleblowers. His actions eroded public trust and undermined our democracy. As your Representative, I’ll fight to: • Strengthen congressional oversight • Reinforce DOJ independence • Protect whistleblowers and inspectors general • Ensure accountability—no one is above the law • Defend free and fair elections • Promote civic education The rule of law is not optional—it’s the foundation of our republic. Let’s defend it together.

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Money Out of Our Politics! Our democracy is under threat from oligarchic control. Corporate PACs, dark money, and billionaire donors drown out everyday Americans. That’s not just unjust—it’s un-American. My Commitment: Get Money Out of Politics If elected, I will: • Ban corporate PACs and dark money • Support a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United • Push for publicly funded elections to elevate small-dollar donors • Enforce real-time transparency in all political donations • Reform lobbying and close the revolving door in Washington It’s time to put people over profits and return our democracy to the voters.

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
Defonsio Daniels	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Joyce Marie Griggs	Democratic Party	$92	$168	$3	As of December 31, 2025
Amanda Hollowell	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Michael McCord	Democratic Party	$176,126	$38,959	$54,786	As of December 31, 2025
Joseph Palimeno	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Sharon Stokes-Williamson	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Patrick Wilver	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Randy Zurcher	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
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+8. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 8 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Georgia's 1st the 159th 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 1st Congressional District

Kamala Harris	Donald Trump
42.0%	58.0%

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 1st Congressional District election, 2026 (May 19 Republican primary)
• Georgia's 1st 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

Alabama • Alaska • Arkansas • Colorado • Delaware • Florida (special) • Georgia • Idaho • Illinois • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Montana • Nebraska • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • North Carolina • Ohio (special) • Oklahoma • Oregon • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Virginia • West Virginia • Wyoming

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House by State

Alabama • Alaska • American Samoa • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Guam • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Northern Mariana Islands • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • U.S. Virgin Islands • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming

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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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