2026 Georgia General Election

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Lydia Catalina Powell has a bachelor's degree in political science education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, a master's degree in education and teaching individuals with emotional disturbances from Florida State University, and a PhD in educational leadership and administration from the University of Sarasota. 

Twitter

Lydia currently works as an administrator, educational diversity trainer, and assistant principal. 

Supports expanding connectivity and access to advanced coursework for rural communities.

Supports replacing standardized tests with professional respect and smart assessment practices.

- Supports expanding connectivity and access to advanced coursework for rural communities.
- Supports replacing standardized tests with professional respect and smart assessment practices.

School Curriculum

Supports strengthening partnerships with social services, the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFACS), and school resource officers to address children needs.

- Supports strengthening partnerships with social services, the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFACS), and school resource officers to address children needs.

School Facilities & Resources

Prioritizes student and educator mental health and wellness through statewide standards for funding and support.

- Prioritizes student and educator mental health and wellness through statewide standards for funding and support.

Student Wellbeing

Believes teachers deserve trust, support, and training that helps them focus on learning, not just test preparation.

- Believes teachers deserve trust, support, and training that helps them focus on learning, not just test preparation.

Teachers

Supports universal preschool and early learning.

- Supports universal preschool and early learning.

Access to Education

Georgia Voter Guide

Gun Sense Voter

Endorsements

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Lydia Powell

Buket Urgen

Richard is from Fitzgerald, Georgia. He attended Fitzgerald High School. He has a bachelor’s degree from Kennesaw State University and a master’s degree from Valdosta State University. He lives with his wife, Lisha, in Tifton.

Richard Lee Woods is from Fitzgerald, Georgia. He has a bachelor’s degree from Kennesaw State University and a master’s degree from Valdosta State University. He lives with his wife, Lisha, in Tifton.

Richard Lee Woods is currently the State School Superintendent of Georgia. He has served in this position for over a decade.

Richard Woods - Georgia gov

Richard is currently the State School Superintendent of Georgia. He  was first elected in 2014 and is serving his third term. 

Supports cursive writing, personal finance, post-secondary options, special education supports, and play in the school curriculum.

Supports cursive writing, personal finance, post-secondary options, special education support, and play-in-school curriculum.

- Supports cursive writing, personal finance, post-secondary options, special education support, and play-in-school curriculum.

Wants to modernize the K-12 education formula to ensure students have the necessary resources and supports to succeed.

Wants to modernize the K-12 education formula to ensure students have the necessary resources and support to succeed.

- Wants to modernize the K-12 education formula to ensure students have the necessary resources and support to succeed.

Supports the Parents' Bill of Rights to enhance parental involvement in education.

Supports the Parents' Bill of Rights with the goal of enhancing parental involvement in education.

For Candidate Richard Lee Woods on Issue student-wellbeing:  
Wants to protect student data/privacy and provide a distraction-free learning environment.

Wants to protect student data and privacy and also provide a distraction-free learning environment.

Supports the implementation of a School Resource Officer (SRO) and a crisis alert system in every school.

For Candidate Richard Lee Woods on Issue student-wellbeing:  
Created a 'Ready Georgia' designation for schools in partnership with GEMA/Homeland Security.

Advocates for programs focused on proactive preparation for disasters. 

Supports requiring school safety drills, safety plans, and law enforcement review of new school building plans.

- Supports the Parents' Bill of Rights with the goal of enhancing parental involvement in education.
- Wants to protect student data and privacy and also provide a distraction-free learning environment.
- Supports the implementation of a School Resource Officer (SRO) and a crisis alert system in every school.
- Advocates for programs focused on proactive preparation for disasters. 
- Supports requiring school safety drills, safety plans, and law enforcement review of new school building plans.

Supports the expansion of the Georgia BEST program to cover the costs of quality teaching degrees.

Believes in the expansion of the Georgia BEST program to cover the costs of quality teaching degrees.

Supports encouraging more individuals to enter the teaching profession through the 'Teach in the Peach' initiative.

- Believes in the expansion of the Georgia BEST program to cover the costs of quality teaching degrees.
- Supports encouraging more individuals to enter the teaching profession through the 'Teach in the Peach' initiative.

As of July 23, 2026, Richard Woods’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Richard Woods

- The State School Superintendent is the Administrative Head of the Georgia Department of Education. They are responsible for putting into action the policies and regulations that come out of the State Board of Education for Georgia’s K-12 public education system. 
- The State School Superintendent provides guidance to the State Board of Education and local school boards on how to comply with new state education laws, such as changes in funding or new curriculum requirements.
- The State School Superintendent can make recommendations to the State Board of Education, a board of 13 members who are all appointed by the Governor and set policies for the public school system.
- The State School Superintendent is elected statewide. They serve four year terms.

The administrative head of Georgia’s K-12 public education system

Georgia State School Superintendent

Candidates (2)