Daniel Blackman

Daniel Blackman (Democratic Party) ran in a special election to the Georgia Public Service Commission to represent District 3. He was disqualified from the special Democratic primary but appeared on the ballot on June 17, 2025.

Biography

Daniel Blackman was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He earned his undergraduate degree from Clark Atlanta University. His professional experience includes working as an executive director of a nonprofit and as a speaker and author. He has served as a board member for the Georgia ACLU.

Elections

2025

See also: Georgia Public Service Commission election, 2025

General election

Special general election for Georgia Public Service Commission District 3

Peter Hubbard defeated incumbent Fitz Johnson in the special general election for Georgia Public Service Commission District 3 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Peter Hubbard (D)	62.9	982,157
		Fitz Johnson (R)	37.1	578,476

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 1,560,633
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary runoff election

Special Democratic primary runoff for Georgia Public Service Commission District 3

Peter Hubbard defeated Keisha Sean Waites in the special Democratic primary runoff for Georgia Public Service Commission District 3 on July 15, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Peter Hubbard	58.2	66,140
		Keisha Sean Waites	41.8	47,552

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 113,692
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Special Democratic primary for Georgia Public Service Commission District 3

Keisha Sean Waites and Peter Hubbard advanced to a runoff. They defeated Robert Jones in the special Democratic primary for Georgia Public Service Commission District 3 on June 17, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Keisha Sean Waites	46.1	58,022
✔		Peter Hubbard	33.3	41,912
		Robert Jones	20.7	26,036

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 125,970
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Daniel Blackman (D) (Disqualified, appeared on ballot)

Republican primary election

Special Republican primary for Georgia Public Service Commission District 3

Incumbent Fitz Johnson advanced from the special Republican primary for Georgia Public Service Commission District 3 on June 17, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Fitz Johnson	100.0	54,640

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 54,640
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Blackman in this election.

2020

See also: Georgia Public Service Commission election, 2020

General runoff election

General runoff election for Georgia Public Service Commission District 4

Incumbent Lauren McDonald Jr. defeated Daniel Blackman in the general runoff election for Georgia Public Service Commission District 4 on January 5, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lauren McDonald Jr. (R)	50.4	2,234,689
		Daniel Blackman (D)	49.6	2,200,962

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,435,651
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for Georgia Public Service Commission District 4

Incumbent Lauren McDonald Jr. and Daniel Blackman advanced to a runoff. They defeated Nathan Wilson in the general election for Georgia Public Service Commission District 4 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lauren McDonald Jr. (R)	49.9	2,415,248
✔		Daniel Blackman (D)	47.0	2,272,969
		Nathan Wilson (L)	3.1	151,196

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,839,413
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Georgia Public Service Commission District 4

Daniel Blackman defeated John Noel in the Democratic primary for Georgia Public Service Commission District 4 on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Daniel Blackman	71.6	762,740
		John Noel	28.4	301,948

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,064,688
= 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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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Georgia Public Service Commission District 4

Incumbent Lauren McDonald Jr. advanced from the Republican primary for Georgia Public Service Commission District 4 on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lauren McDonald Jr.	100.0	929,919

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 929,919
= 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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2016

See also: Georgia State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Georgia State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 24, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 11, 2016.

Incumbent Michael E. Williams defeated Daniel Blackman in the Georgia State Senate District 27 general election.

Georgia State Senate, District 27 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Michael E. Williams Incumbent	78.46%	73,417
	Democratic	Daniel Blackman	21.54%	20,153
Total Votes				93,570
Source: Georgia Secretary of State

Daniel Blackman ran unopposed in the Georgia State Senate District 27 Democratic primary.

Georgia State Senate, District 27 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Daniel Blackman  (unopposed)

Incumbent Michael E. Williams ran unopposed in the Georgia State Senate District 27 Republican primary.

Georgia State Senate, District 27 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Michael E. Williams Incumbent (unopposed)

2014

See also: Georgia down ballot state executive elections, 2014

Blackman ran for Georgia Public Service Commissioner for District 4. He won the Democratic nomination unopposed in the primary on May 20. Blackman faced Republican incumbent Bubba McDonald in the general election on November 4, 2014.

Results

Public Service Commissioner of Georgia, District 4, 2014
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Bubba McDonald Incumbent	53.4%	1,341,182
	Democratic	Daniel Blackman	41.7%	1,048,917
	Libertarian	Robin Aaron Gilmer	4.9%	122,326
Total Votes				2,512,425
Election results via Georgia Secretary of State

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Daniel Blackman did not complete Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Blackman's campaign website stated the following:

“	Affordable Utility Rates Stop the rate hikes. Lower your bills. The Problem: Georgians are paying too much for power. Bills have gone up almost $50 a month over the past few years, while companies rake in record profits. My Plan: Stop Unfair Rate Hikes: Fight against unnecessary charges and protect families from price gouging. Push for Affordable Energy Options: Expand renewable energy that’s cheaper and cleaner. Help Families Save: Promote energy efficiency Safe and Reliable Energy Keep the power on. Keep Georgia safe and reliable. The Problem: From heat waves to hurricanes, our power grid is fragile. Too many Georgians are left in the dark when they need power the most. My Plan: Strengthen the Power Grid: Invest in reliable, storm-proof infrastructure to keep the power on. Expand Clean Energy: Solar and wind power can make our grid stronger, safer, and more reliable. Hold Companies Accountable: Make sure utilities maintain safe, dependable systems that work for everyone. Transparency and Accountability It’s your power. It’s your money. The Problem: Utility companies are making deals behind closed doors, and you’re left paying the price. My Plan: Open Public Hearings: No more backroom deals. The people deserve to be heard. Demand Transparency: Make utility companies show where your money is going. Fight for Fairness: Keep corporations from taking advantage of Georgians. Broadband Access for All Connecting Georgia. Bridging the digital divide. The Problem: Too many rural and underserved communities are being left behind. High-speed internet isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. My Plan: Expand Access: Push for affordable, high-speed internet in every corner of Georgia. Level the Playing Field: Make sure broadband projects don’t pile costs on hardworking families. Promote Digital Equity: Ensure everyone—urban or rural—has reliable internet access. Clean Energy and Climate Justice Cleaner energy. Better jobs. Healthier Georgia. The Problem: Georgia’s most vulnerable communities are paying the price for pollution and climate change. My Plan: Promote Clean Energy: Invest in solar, wind, and other clean technologies that lower costs and protect the planet. Environmental Accountability: Make polluters pay for the damage they cause. Create Jobs: Build a clean energy economy that works for everyone. Workforce Development and Job Creation Building Georgia’s future. Creating jobs that last. The Problem: Too many Georgians are struggling to find good-paying jobs in today’s economy. My Plan: Prepare the Next Generation: Partner with schools and technical colleges to train young people for high-paying energy jobs. Support HBCUs: Invest in programs that help our historically Black colleges and universities prepare the next generation of leaders. Create New Opportunities: Bring clean energy jobs to every community in Georgia. Public Safety and Cybersecurity Protecting your power. Keeping Georgia safe and reliable. The Problem: Our power systems are vulnerable to attacks from hackers and severe weather.. My Plan: Secure Our Grid: Work with state and federal agencies to protect Georgia’s power from cyber threats and natural disasters. Modernize Infrastructure: Invest in smart grid technology for better monitoring and faster recovery. Collaborate for Safety: Partner with agencies to keep our power systems strong and reliable.	”
—Daniel Blackman's campaign website (2025)

2020

Daniel Blackman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Blackman's responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Daniel Blackman is the former Democratic Chairman of Georgia's 7th Congressional District, board member of the Georgia ACLU, and resident of Forsyth County. As an Energy Policy Advisor, he worked with Congress to address clean energy investments, utility regulation, and public health issues in underserved communities throughout America. Additionally, he worked with the D.C. based Environmental Working Group to advance mandatory GMO labeling legislation that would preempt state labeling laws while creating a national, mandatory GMO labeling standard for all GMO foods.

Professionally, Daniel served as the Senior VP for Environmental Affairs at Capital Fortitude Business Advisors where he managed client relationships including business and political leaders, religious leaders, and government allies of the U.S., on social responsibility and intergovernmental affairs.

Politically, he partnered with the Obama Administration's Clean Power Plan and Power Africa Initiative, served as an advisor to the Congressional Black Caucus and EPA on Environmental Justice issues, and was appointed by former Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears to serve on the Georgia Supreme Court Commission on Children, Marriage and Family Law. In 2015, Daniel was honored to be invited to Vatican City to discuss the global impact of the climate crisis ahead of the Paris Climate Accords.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• rengthen Utility Assistance Programs Daniel will advocate for lower utility bills and assistance programs for the senior citizens and hard-working families on fixed incomes that need it most.
• Closing the Technology Gap by bringing high-speed internet to all 159 Georgia Counties Daniel will work to create a connected Georgia bringing wireless and high-speed internet to cities, rural, mountain, and coastal regions to ensure that all Georgians, regardless of their zip code, have efficient and reliable internet connectivity.
• Champion cleaner more efficient energy solutions Daniel will use his voice consistently towards advocating for cleaner, more efficient energy solutions ensuring a climate-safe, renewable energy future for everyone

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I pledge not to take contributions from utilities regulated by the PSC, including oil, gas, and coal industry executives, lobbyists, and PACs; instead, I will prioritize the health of our families, energy and utility workers, climate, and democracy over fossil fuel industry profits. I am passionate about:

(1) Protect Today's and Prepare for Tomorrow's Energy Workforce- I support workers and commit to working closely with the utility industry to ensure safety and job security for the energy workforce of today and build a pipeline of skilled Georgians to take on the energy challenges of tomorrow.

(2) Secure our Electric Grid against threats- my father was a U.S. Army Ranger. He always reminded me that protecting our homeland was why he served. As energy infrastructure continues to be constructed and maintained, and as the grid evolves, we must be prepared for threats to its integrity. I am committed to working with our public utilities to ensure Electric Grid Security and Resilience.

(3) Low- and Moderate-Income Solar Policies- Access to solar has been widely deployed across the United States in recent years and associated costs are falling rapidly. However, access to solar power remains elusive for a large segment of the U.S. population, particularly low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities. I am committed to identifying and piloting various approaches to bring the benefits of solar power to LMI consumers that ensure a higher penetration of clean energy.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The mission of the Georgia Public Service Commission is to exercise its authority and influence to ensure that consumers receive safe, reliable and reasonably priced telecommunications, electric and natural gas services from financially viable and technically competent companies. Utility regulation, in my opinion, is a complicated political balancing act. As a commissioner, you must work with utility providers, communicate with ratepayers and civic organizations, and consider our natural resources in every decision made. I am committed to making prudent decisions that maintain safe, reliable, and reasonably priced utilities, with low and moderate income families and senior citizens in mind.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was the first African American woman in Congress (1968) and the first woman and African American to seek the nomination for president of the United States from one of the two major political parties (1972). Her motto and title of her campaign and subsequently autobiography-Unbossed and Unbought-illustrated her outspoken advocacy for women and minorities during her seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. I follow her example of Unbossed and Unbought because of the present day and overwhelming influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections and elected officials.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I follow the principle that Good governance has 8 major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive, and follows the rule of law. Elected officials should be guided by measurable principles that remind them of who and why they serve.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am committed to elevating environmental justice issues to strengthen utility regulation policies, programs and initiatives. I pledge to work with my colleagues, elected officials, civic leaders, communities, and federal agencies to strengthen fair and balanced policies, programs and initiatives, with a focus on consumer protection and implementing holistic strategies to address the issues facing vulnerable communities.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I grew up in a military family. When I was 10 years old, we had returned from Europe during the fall of the Berlin Wall, a pivotal event in world history which marked the falling of the Iron Curtain and the start of the fall of communism in Eastern and Central Europe. I remember not fully comprehending what it meant as a young boy, but I knew that it was significant because of how it socially and politically divided people and families.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was as a restaurant "busser." I got the job to earn enough money for my senior prom, and held the position for 6 months. Looking back on it, it was a humbling position that taught me the value of a dollar and the rewards of hard work. You see, bussers clean tables, collect plates, utensils, and drinkware-to the kitchen to be washed; all while making sure diners' water glasses are full, and tables are reset for the next service. Helping waiters and waitresses taught me how to listen and appreciate the struggles of my co-workers, mostly single moms who were trying to make ends meet. Their stories helped to shape my desire to fight for working families.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. The Alchemist tells the story of a young shepherd named Santiago who is able to find a treasure beyond his wildest dreams. Along the way, he learns to listen to his heart and, more importantly, realizes that his dreams, or his Personal Legend, are not just his but part of the Soul of the Universe. I believe we are all connected and that we are all on a journey. When I first read this book, it was at the beginning of my political career. I have read hundreds of books, what struck me about this book is that we all will have the opportunity through life experiences to determine what is valuable to us and what our personal treasure is. I believe we are stronger in our calling when we accept the journey.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

In all honesty, understanding the differences between profit, people, and our environment. It is not enough to make decisions based on access and influence, serving as a Public Service Commissioner takes integrity and a sense of compassion. Every decision made must consider short term and long term benefits, opportunities, and challenges.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Most people just do not have any idea that the Public Service Commission exists. The little known power is simple, the PSC has the authority and influence to ensure that consumers receive safe, reliable and reasonably priced telecommunications, electric and natural gas services. In other words, they often decide if a person will have to choose between keeping the lights on or putting food on the table. Having access to working and reliable utilities means life or death and success or failure for many people. These should never be determined by an individuals zip code. Utility Regulation can be a complicated process and I believe experience at various levels of government or politics is critical. Understanding the inner workings of government in this particular office can be the difference between prosperous communities and impoverished communities.

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

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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.

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Daniel Blackman campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2014	Georgia Public Service Commissioner District 4	Lost	$8,900	N/A**
2008	Georgia House of Representatives District 61	Lost	$0	N/A**
Grand total			$8,900	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Election Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

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