Kay Howell
From Ballotpedia
Kay Howell (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Georgia State Senate to represent District 14. She is on the ballot in the Democratic primary on May 19, 2026.[source]
Howell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Kay Howell earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia, a graduate degree from Purdue University, and a graduate degree from Nova Southeastern University. Her career experience includes working as a business consultant focused on organizational improvement, business operations, and project management.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Georgia State Senate elections, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on May 19, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Georgia State Senate District 14
Kevin Abel (D), Kay Howell (D), and Nathalie Kanani (D) are running in the Democratic primary for Georgia State Senate District 14 on May 19, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Kevin Abel | |
 | Kay Howell  | |
| Nathalie Kanani | ||
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Josh McLaurin (D)
Republican primary
Republican primary for Georgia State Senate District 14
Michael Dvorscak (R), Tamara Johnson-Shealey (R), and Mckenzie Mcqueen (R) are running in the Republican primary for Georgia State Senate District 14 on May 19, 2026.
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| = 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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Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Kay Howell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Howell's responses.
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Dr. Kay Howell is a candidate for the Georgia State Senate District 14 seat in 2026.
Howell works as a PMO Manager and process improvement leader, advising organizations and leadership teams on operational efficiency and organizational improvement. Her work has focused on improving organizational systems and helping teams implement practical solutions to operational challenges.
In addition to her professional work, Howell has been active in communities across North Fulton and the greater Atlanta area, building relationships with families, business owners, and community leaders. She has participated in civic initiatives focused on education, civic engagement, and economic opportunity.
Howell earned her doctorate and has worked at the intersection of business operations, organizational leadership, and community engagement.
Howell has called North Fulton home for more than 20 years and has been active in community initiatives across the region.
Howell is running for the Georgia State Senate to focus on practical solutions for working families, transparency in government, and policies that support economic opportunity and community stability across North Fulton communities including Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, and North Atlanta.- Practical problem-solving leadership My professional background is in project management and process improvement, where my work focuses on identifying problems, improving systems, and implementing practical solutions. I am running for the Georgia State Senate to bring that same problem-solving mindset to public service and help government work more effectively for the communities it serves.
- Strong schools and thriving communities North Fulton is known for its strong schools and vibrant neighborhoods. I believe we must continue supporting teachers, maintaining high-performing public schools, and ensuring our communities remain safe and welcoming places for families to live, work, and raise children.
- Economic opportunity and lower cost pressures for families Families across our region are facing rising costs and everyday pressures. I support practical policies that strengthen economic opportunity, improve transportation and traffic flow, and help families access affordable healthcare and essential services without financial hardship.
I am passionate about policies that strengthen communities and improve everyday life for working families. Education is especially important to me because strong public schools and supported teachers are essential to thriving communities. I also care deeply about improving transportation and infrastructure so residents spend less time in traffic and more time with their families. In addition, I support policies that expand economic opportunity, lower cost pressures on families, and promote transparent and effective government.
One person I have always looked up to is my mother, who was a civics teacher for more than 30 years. Growing up, I watched the dedication she brought to her students and how seriously she took the responsibility of helping young people understand how government works and why civic participation matters. Her example taught me the importance of community, responsibility, and public service, and those lessons continue to influence my approach to leadership today.
My perspective on public service was strongly shaped by my mother, who was a civics teacher for more than 30 years. Growing up, I learned that democracy works best when people are engaged, informed, and willing to participate in shaping their communities. That lesson instilled in me a deep respect for civic responsibility and the belief that leadership should focus on serving others and strengthening the communities we call home.
Integrity, transparency, and a commitment to solving problems are essential qualities for an elected official. Leaders should listen carefully to the people they represent and approach challenges with a mindset focused on solutions rather than division. My professional background in project management and process improvement has shown me the importance of thoughtful decision-making, collaboration, and accountability. Public officials should always act with honesty and keep the interests of their communities at the center of every decision.
The core responsibility of someone elected to this office is to represent the people of their district and work to improve the quality of life in their communities. This includes supporting strong public schools, improving transportation and infrastructure, strengthening economic opportunity, and ensuring that government operates transparently and effectively. An elected official should listen to residents, work collaboratively with community leaders, and focus on practical solutions that address real challenges facing families and businesses.
The governor and the state legislature should work collaboratively while maintaining their distinct constitutional roles. Effective governance requires open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to serving the public interest. While the legislature represents the voices of local communities and provides oversight, the governor plays an important role in setting priorities and implementing policy. When both branches work cooperatively, government can operate more effectively and deliver better results for the people it serves.
Over the next decade, our state will face important challenges including managing population growth, improving transportation and infrastructure, strengthening public education, and ensuring that economic opportunity is accessible to communities across the state. Addressing rising costs for families, maintaining safe and vibrant communities, and ensuring that government programs operate effectively will also be critical. Thoughtful planning, responsible leadership, and collaboration across communities will be essential to maintaining a strong quality of life for residents.
Experience in government or politics can be valuable, but it is not the only path to effective public service. Individuals from a wide range of professional and community backgrounds can bring important perspectives and practical problem-solving skills to the legislative process. What matters most is a commitment to serving constituents, a willingness to listen, and the ability to work collaboratively to address the needs of the community.
Yes. Building relationships with other legislators is essential for effective governance. Many of the challenges facing our communities require thoughtful discussion, collaboration, and the ability to work across perspectives to find practical solutions. Strong professional relationships help legislators communicate more effectively, understand different viewpoints, and move important legislation forward in a way that benefits the people they represent.
I admire leaders who approach public service with integrity, humility, and a strong commitment to their communities. Rather than modeling myself after a single individual, I am inspired by leaders who focus on listening to constituents, working collaboratively, and approaching challenges with thoughtful problem solving. My goal is to bring those qualities to public service and remain focused on serving the people of my community.
My focus right now is on serving the people of my district and addressing the issues that matter most to our communities. I believe public service should begin with listening, learning, and working to make a positive impact where you are elected to serve. My priority is to be an effective representative for the residents of my district.
Growing up, my mother was a civics teacher for more than 30 years. Watching the dedication she brought to her students helped me understand how important education and civic engagement are to the strength of a community. She often reminded her students that democracy works best when people are informed and involved.
More recently, while speaking with residents in my community, I heard from a parent who described how long commutes and rising costs make it difficult to balance work and family life. Conversations like that reinforce how closely public policy affects everyday life and why thoughtful leadership and practical solutions matter for the families we serve.
More recently, while speaking with residents in my community, I heard from a parent who described how long commutes and rising costs make it difficult to balance work and family life. Conversations like that reinforce how closely public policy affects everyday life and why thoughtful leadership and practical solutions matter for the families we serve.
Emergency powers can be necessary in times of crisis, but they should include appropriate legislative oversight to ensure transparency and accountability. While the executive branch must be able to respond quickly in emergencies, the legislature plays an important role in providing oversight and ensuring that decisions remain accountable to the public. A balanced approach helps maintain both effective response and democratic checks and balances.
If elected, my priority will be supporting and retaining teachers while strengthening our public schools. Strong schools are essential to thriving communities, and educators play a critical role in preparing the next generation for success. Policies that ensure classrooms have the resources they need and maintain high-performing public schools help students succeed while strengthening communities and supporting long-term economic opportunity.
No formal endorsements have been announced at this time.
Committees related to education, transportation, and economic development are of particular interest to me because these areas have a direct impact on the quality of life in our communities. Strong schools, effective infrastructure, and economic opportunity are essential to the continued success of our region. Given my professional background in project management and process improvement, I am also interested in efforts that improve government efficiency, oversight, and the effective implementation of public programs.
Financial transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining public trust in government. Taxpayers deserve clear information about how public resources are being used and whether those investments are producing meaningful results for their communities. I believe government should operate with responsible oversight, accessible reporting, and clear communication so residents can understand how decisions are made and how funds are allocated. Transparent governance helps ensure that public institutions remain focused on serving the people.
Citizen participation is an important part of a healthy democracy. Any ballot initiative process should be carefully designed to ensure transparency, fairness, and clear information for voters. When structured responsibly, such a process can provide residents with an additional opportunity to participate in shaping public policy while maintaining the integrity of the legislative process.
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.
Campaign finance summary
Campaign finance information for this candidate is not yet available from OpenSecrets. That information will be published here once it is available.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
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Candidate Georgia State Senate District 14 |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 15, 2026
Current members of the Georgia State Senate
Leadership
Majority Leader:Jason Anavitarte
Minority Leader:Harold Jones
Senators
District 1
Ben Watson (R)
District 2
Derek Mallow (D)
District 3
Mike Hodges (R)
District 4
Billy Hickman (R)
District 5
Sheikh Rahman (D)
District 6
Matt Brass (R)
District 7
Vacant
District 8
Russ Goodman (R)
District 9
Nikki Merritt (D)
District 10
Emanuel Jones (D)
District 11
Sam Watson (R)
District 12
Freddie Sims (D)
District 13
Carden Summers (R)
District 14
Josh McLaurin (D)
District 15
Ed Harbison (D)
District 16
Marty Harbin (R)
District 17
Gail Davenport (D)
District 18
Steven McNeel (R)
District 19
Blake Tillery (R)
District 20
Larry Walker (R)
District 21
Jason Dickerson (R)
District 22
Harold Jones (D)
District 23
Max Burns (R)
District 24
Lee Anderson (R)
District 25
Ricky Williams (R)
District 26
David Lucas (D)
District 27
Greg Dolezal (R)
District 28
Donzella James (D)
District 29
Randy Robertson (R)
District 30
Tim Bearden (R)
District 31
Jason Anavitarte (R)
District 32
Kay Kirkpatrick (R)
District 33
Michael Rhett (D)
District 34
Kenya Wicks (D)
District 35
Jaha Howard (D)
District 36
Nan Orrock (D)
District 37
Ed Setzler (R)
District 38
Rashaun Kemp (D)
District 39
Sonya Halpern (D)
District 40
Sally Harrell (D)
District 41
Kim Jackson (D)
District 42
Brian Strickland (R)
District 43
Tonya Anderson (D)
District 44
Elena Parent (D)
District 45
Clint Dixon (R)
District 46
Bill Cowsert (R)
District 47
Frank Ginn (R)
District 48
Shawn Still (R)
District 49
Drew Echols (R)
District 50
Bo Hatchett (R)
District 51
Steve Gooch (R)
District 52
Chuck Hufstetler (R)
District 53
Vacant
District 54
Chuck Payne (R)
District 55
Randal Mangham (D)
District 56
John Albers (R)
Republican Party (32)
Democratic Party (22)
Vacancies (2)
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