2026 Georgia Primary Election

Democrat

Nonpartisan

Republican

2026 Georgia Primary Runoff

Amanda Hollowell is from Savannah, Georgia. She has a bachelor 27s degree in American Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. She has a son and is a full-time caregiver for her father. Amanda is a proud member of the Savannah (GA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and has served on the Savannah Black Heritage Festival Committee.

Amanda Hollowell - Ballotpedia

Amanda Hollowell is originally from Palm Springs, California. She earned her bachelor's degree in American studies from the University of California Berkeley. She volunteers with the Savannah Black Heritage Festival Committee and has previously volunteered with Reform Georgia, the League of Women Voters of Coastal Georgia, and the Georgia Alliance for Social Justice. She lives with her child in Savannah, Georgia. 

Amanda is the chief of campaigns at Color of Change. She previously directed national organizing efforts at When We All Vote and led campaign strategy at the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute and 9to5 Georgia. Amanda also revitalized 9to5 Working Women in Georgia, relaunching the Savannah Chapter with 60 members. 

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Amanda currently works as the chief of campaigns at Color of Change, where she previously worked as the interim chief of campaigns. She previously worked as a managing director and senior director of national organizing at When We All Vote, the director of strategic campaign at the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, a Georgia state director and community organizer at 9to5, an education specialist at the LifeLink Foundation, and the owner of Savannah Events and Weddings. 

Amanda's campaign for U.S. House of Representatives for Georgia's 1st Congressional District, is her first run for public office. 

Supports higher wages, affordable housing, and economic investment that prioritizes families and workers in the First Congressional District.

Supports higher wages, affordable housing, and economic investment that prioritizes families and workers in the 1st Congressional District.

Advocated for fair pay, strong union protections, and increased federal infrastructure funding for port workers.

Supports a restructuring of the tax code to support the middle class.

Believes there should be government oversight "in the development and use of artificial intelligence."

- Supports higher wages, affordable housing, and economic investment that prioritizes families and workers in the 1st Congressional District.
- Advocated for fair pay, strong union protections, and increased federal infrastructure funding for port workers.
- Supports a restructuring of the tax code to support the middle class.
- Believes there should be government oversight "in the development and use of artificial intelligence."

Economy

As of March 11, 2026, Amanda Hollowell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Supports accessible and affordable healthcare for seniors, veterans, rural families, and working people, along with Medicaid expansion.

- Supports accessible and affordable healthcare for seniors, veterans, rural families, and working people, along with Medicaid expansion.

Healthcare

Believes "every child deserves a quality education that leads to opportunity."

Promises to fight for additional funding for public schools.

Advocates for better apprenticeships and workforce development programs.

- Believes "every child deserves a quality education that leads to opportunity."
- Promises to fight for additional funding for public schools.
- Supports universal pre-K programs.
- Advocates for better apprenticeships and workforce development programs.

Education

Supports prevention and protection for coastal communities against disasters like hurricanes and flooding.

- Supports prevention and protection for coastal communities against disasters like hurricanes and flooding.

Energy & the Environment

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Supports expanding access to voting for all, including parents, seniors, and young first-time voters.

Believes on a six term limit in the U.S. House of Representatives.

- Supports expanding access to voting for all, including parents, seniors, and young first-time voters.
- Believes on a six term limit in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Voting & Elections

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Amanda Hollowell

Isaac Brickman

Emileigh Crouch

Buket Urgen

Defonsio is a retired police officer. He previously worked at a local police department, protecting and serving his community until his retirement. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps, completing his degree while assigned to the Wounded Warrior Recovery Battalion at Balboa Hospital.

Defonsio Daniels is a retired police officer. He previously worked at a local police department, protecting and serving his community until his retirement. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps, completing his degree while assigned to the Wounded Warrior Recovery Battalion at Balboa Hospital.

Defonsio Daniels previously ran for U.S. House of Representatives, Georgia’s First Congressional District in 2024 and did not win.

Defonsio previously ran for U.S. House of Representatives, Georgia’s First Congressional District in 2024 and did not win.

Supports small businesses and entrepreneurship.

Plans to address the housing crisis through affordable housing initiatives and responsible development.

Plans to address food deserts by expanding grocery store access, supporting local farmers' markets, and incentivizing fresh food retailers in underserved areas.

- Supports small businesses and entrepreneurship.
- Plans to address the housing crisis through affordable housing initiatives and responsible development.
- Plans to address food deserts by expanding grocery store access, supporting local farmers' markets, and incentivizing fresh food retailers in underserved areas.

Believes in strong law enforcement to ensure community safety.

Supports access to safe, affordable housing.

- Believes in strong law enforcement to ensure community safety.
- Supports access to safe, affordable housing.

Ballotpedia

Supports expanding healthcare services, especially in rural areas, and aims to lower prescription medication costs.

Believes in promoting a healthy Georgia, as our current high mortality rate is partly attributed to the lack of affordable healthcare.

- Supports expanding healthcare services, especially in rural areas, and aims to lower prescription medication costs.
- Believes in promoting a healthy Georgia, as our current high mortality rate is partly attributed to the lack of affordable healthcare.

Supports increased federal education funding, teacher support, and ensuring students have necessary resources.

- Supports increased federal education funding, teacher support, and ensuring students have necessary resources.

Supports environmental protections, investing in clean energy, and ensuring the state's natural resources remain vibrant for future generations.

- Supports environmental protections, investing in clean energy, and ensuring the state's natural resources remain vibrant for future generations.

As of March 11, 2026, Defonsio Daniels’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Advocates for strict accountability in government and pledges to foster open, honest communication through regular town hall meetings and direct, bipartisan engagement with constituents.

Would prioritize transparency and commit to being open and available for discussions and votes.

- Advocates for strict accountability in government and pledges to foster open, honest communication through regular town hall meetings and direct, bipartisan engagement with constituents.
- Would prioritize transparency and commit to being open and available for discussions and votes.

Defonsio Daniels

Mauricio Mendez

Joey Palimeno has a bachelor 27s degree in political science from Southern New Hampshire University. He is a father to his son, Jaycen, who has Down syndrome and previously battled leukemia. Joey has lived in Camden County, Georgia for nine years.

Joey Palimeno has a bachelor's degree in political science from Southern New Hampshire University. He is a father.

Joey is a veterinary technician. He has worked as a veterinary technician for 17 years. 

Joey's campaign for Georgias 1st Congressional District representative is his first time running for public office.

Joey's campaign for Georgia's 1st Congressional District representative is his first time running for public office.

Supports safe, accessible, and affordable housing.

Supports well-paying union jobs, lower energy bills, and rebuilding American manufacturing.

- Supports safe, accessible, and affordable housing.
- Supports well-paying union jobs, lower energy bills, and rebuilding American manufacturing.
- Supports raising the minimum wage.

As of March 11, 2026, Joey Palimeno’s website did not contain information on this issue.

For Candidate Joey Palimeno on Issue healthcare: Supports universal healthcare as a human right.

Supports universal healthcare and believes it is a human right.

- Supports universal healthcare and believes it is a human right.

Supports universal pre-K and free school meals.

Supports $10-a-day childcare, expanding the child tax credit, and paid family leave.

- Supports universal pre-K and free school meals.
- Supports $10-a-day childcare, expanding the child tax credit, and paid family leave.

Supports lowering energy costs by expanding renewable energy, strengthening rural electric co-ops, and "giving people more control over their power."

Supports investing in rooftop solar energy, battery storage, modernizing grids, and making homes more efficient.

Believes in protecting farmers and investing in rural Georgia.

- Supports lowering energy costs by expanding renewable energy, strengthening rural electric co-ops, and "giving people more control over their power."
- Supports investing in rooftop solar energy, battery storage, modernizing grids, and making homes more efficient.
- Opposes monopoly utilities.
- Believes in protecting farmers and investing in rural Georgia.
- Supports the Green New Deal.

Said, "Politics is supposed to work for working people not billionaires, not special interests."

Said, "They don’t just buy politicians they buy power. They fund crackdowns on protestors, push laws to silence voters, and make sure working families pay the price while they rake in record profits."

Wants to "ban Congressional insider trading."

- Said, "Politics is supposed to work for working people not billionaires, not special interests."
- Said, "They don’t just buy politicians they buy power. They fund crackdowns on protestors, push laws to silence voters, and make sure working families pay the price while they rake in record profits."
- Wants to "ban Congressional insider trading."

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Joey Palimeno

Alejandra Gracias

Candidate Joey Palimeno emphasizes his experience in public service and education, highlighting his background as a veterinary technician and his political science degree.

Joyce Marie Griggs - Ballotpedia

Candidate website

2 2020 Georgia Federal Candidate Questionnaire Joyce Marie Griggs

Joyce Marie Griggs is originally from Bethel, North Carolina. She attended North Carolina Central University and the John Marshall School of Law. She had two adult children and four grandchildren and lives in Savannah, Georgia. 

Joyce currently works as the chief executive officer of The Griggs Group, LLC. She served as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army for 33 years. 

Joyce previously ran for U.S. House of Representatives representing Georgia's 1st Congressional District in 2022 and 2020, but did not win. She withdrew from the 2024 primary election. 

Supports job creation and attracting new industries.

Advocates for strengthening infrastructure and protecting port operations.

Supports funding and protecting small businesses.

- Supports job creation and attracting new industries.
- Advocates for strengthening infrastructure and protecting port operations.
- Supports funding and protecting small businesses.

Calls for criminal justice and social justice reform.

Supports policies that limit access to guns, while maintaining the right to own a gun.

- Calls for criminal justice and social justice reform.
- Supports policies that limit access to guns, while maintaining the right to own a gun.

Advocates for expanding access to affordable healthcare.

Supports lowering the Medicare eligibility age.

- Advocates for expanding access to affordable healthcare.
- Supports lowering the Medicare eligibility age.

Prioritizes increased education funding at the state and local levels.

- Prioritizes increased education funding at the state and local levels.

Calls for environmental protections and conservation efforts.

Promotes sustainability in farming and fishing industries.

- Calls for environmental protections and conservation efforts.
- Promotes sustainability in farming and fishing industries.

Supports service members, veterans, and military installations.

Calls for increased accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

- Supports service members, veterans, and military installations.
- Calls for increased accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Advocates for immigration reform.

Supports term limits for member of Congress.

- Supports term limits for member of Congress.

Joyce Marie Griggs

As of March 11, 2026, Joyce Marie Griggs’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Michael McCord is from Abbeville, South Carolina. He attended Laurens District 55 High School in Laurens, South Carolina. He lives in Savannah, Georgia. 

Michael is currently a senior manager at The Gatlic Group. Previously, he was a southeast regional account manager and a regional sales account manager at Bryte, and a business development manager at Workbox Staffing. 

Michael’s campaign for U.S. Representative in Georgia’s 1st Congressional District is his first run for public office.

Supports a federal ban on price gouging for essential goods during economic crises, citing corporate opportunism as a factor in rising costs for gas, groceries, and housing.

Supports a federal ban on price gouging for essential goods during economic crises.

Supports tax incentives for companies that manufacture in Georgia rather than overseas.

Fights for policies that cut red tape, expand access to capital for local entrepreneurs, protect pensions, and raise wages for families.

- Supports a federal ban on price gouging for essential goods during economic crises.
- Supports tax incentives for companies that manufacture in Georgia rather than overseas.
- Fights for policies that cut red tape, expand access to capital for local entrepreneurs, protect pensions, and raise wages for families.

As of March 11, 2026, Michael McCord’s website did not contain information on this issue.

For Candidate Michael McCord on Issue healthcare:  
Advocates for bringing funding back to Georgia to keep hospitals and emergency rooms open.

Advocates for bringing funding back to Georgia to keep hospitals and emergency rooms open.

Supports capping insulin at $35 for everyone and allowing Medicare to negotiate all prescription drug prices.

- Advocates for bringing funding back to Georgia to keep hospitals and emergency rooms open.
- Supports capping insulin at $35 for everyone and allowing Medicare to negotiate all prescription drug prices.

Supports stronger levees and flood barriers.

Wants to introduce stronger levees and flood barriers.

For Candidate Michael McCord on Issue energy-and-environment: Supports fair access to FEMA for working-class families.

Supports fair access to FEMA for working-class families.

Supports an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy, utilizing natural gas, nuclear, solar, and emerging technologies to enhance energy independence and keep costs down for working families.

- Wants to introduce stronger levees and flood barriers.
- Supports fair access to FEMA for working-class families.
- Supports an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy, utilizing natural gas, nuclear, solar, and emerging technologies to enhance energy independence and keep costs down for working families.

For Candidate Michael McCord on Issue Foreign Policy and Immigration: Advocates for automatic enrollment of VA benefits upon discharge, eliminating paperwork and ensuring veterans receive what they earned.

Advocates for automatic enrollment of VA benefits upon discharge, eliminating paperwork and ensuring veterans receive what they earned.

Supports expanding mental health vouchers for veterans to access private providers if VA wait times exceed 14 days.

- Advocates for automatic enrollment of VA benefits upon discharge, eliminating paperwork and ensuring veterans receive what they earned.
- Supports expanding mental health vouchers for veterans to access private providers if VA wait times exceed 14 days.

Supports banning individual stock trading for members of Congress and their immediate families.

- Supports banning individual stock trading for members of Congress and their immediate families.

Michael McCord

- Wants to introduce stronger levees and flood barriers.
- Supports wetland restoration and the use of natural storm buffers to enhance environmental resilience.
- Supports fair access to FEMA for working-class families.
- Supports an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy, utilizing natural gas, nuclear, solar, and emerging technologies to enhance energy independence and keep costs down for working families.

Milan Parker

Believes corporations in energy-intensive industries should help cover the true cost of power to prevent families and small businesses from bearing the financial burden.

Prioritizes investments in infrastructure, including rural broadband, safe roads, and modern ports.

Supports upgraded drainage and storm-water systems.

Seeks federal investment in energy and environmental initiatives.

Supports wetland restoration and the use of natural storm buffers to enhance environmental resilience.

Wants to streamline the transition from active duty to civilian life.

Patrick J Wilver is from New Castle, Pennsylvania. He has a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point. 

Patrick’s campaign for U.S. Representative in Georgia’s 1st Congressional District is his first run for public office.

Patrick previously was the co-owner of Trophy Point Realty Group. He also served in the U.S. Army from 2015 to 2019. 

Believes in using the law to address racial gaps in wealth.

Wants to restore "progressive taxation" by closing corporate loopholes and reinstating inheritance taxes on "massive dynastic wealth."

Supports fully funding Social Security by removing the payroll cap.

Believes in fiscal responsibility and pairing long-term investment with fair revenue.

- Believes in using the law to address racial gaps in wealth.
- Wants to restore "progressive taxation" by closing corporate loopholes and reinstating inheritance taxes on "massive dynastic wealth."
- Supports fully funding Social Security by removing the payroll cap.
- Supports paid family leave for all.
- Believes in fiscal responsibility and pairing long-term investment with fair revenue.

Believes in reclaiming the power of the people.

- Believes in reclaiming the power of the people.

Supports universal healthcare to all citizens.

- Supports universal healthcare to all citizens.

Supports making public colleges and trade schools tuition free with strict accountability to prevent "waste and administrative bloat."

Supports expanding opportunities for national service that are military alternatives, such as conservation, disaster response, infrastructure, and community health.

- Supports making public colleges and trade schools tuition free with strict accountability to prevent "waste and administrative bloat."
- Wants to support teachers.
- Supports expanding vocational training.
- Supports expanding opportunities for national service that are military alternatives, such as conservation, disaster response, infrastructure, and community health.

Supports stronger protections for wetlands, saltwater marshes, and other ecosystems.

Supports stronger air and water protections

Supports safeguarding aquifers and freshwater resources and cleaning up contaminated sites.

Supports infrastructure investments that protect coastal communities from flooding.

Supports energy policy that is science-based, investing in renewable energy infrastructure, and creating well-paying jobs while protecting the environment.

Seeks to improve infrastructure around ports and warehouses for decreased commuting traffic and wants to raise highways.

Supports more weather resilient infrastructure.

Supports structural utility reform that breaks up monopolies or expands public power options.

- Supports stronger protections for wetlands, saltwater marshes, and other ecosystems.
- Supports stronger air and water protections
- Supports safeguarding aquifers and freshwater resources and cleaning up contaminated sites.
- Supports infrastructure investments that protect coastal communities from flooding.
- Supports energy policy that is science-based, investing in renewable energy infrastructure, and creating well-paying jobs while protecting the environment.
- Seeks to improve infrastructure around ports and warehouses for decreased commuting traffic and wants to raise highways.
- Supports more weather resilient infrastructure.
- Supports structural utility reform that breaks up monopolies or expands public power options.

As of March 11, 2026, Patrick J Wilver’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Seeks to overturn the Citizens United ruling that states corporations and unions cannot be prohibited from making independent expenses in federal elections.

Seeks to ban Congressional stock trading and supports imposing strict post-service lobbying bans.

Supports election reform so that there are open primaries, ranked-choice voting, and independent redistricting commissions.

Believes "Congress must reclaim its authority over war."

Believes presidential emergency powers must be limited.

Said, "The Fourth Amendment must protect Americans from government overreach and from corporate surveillance."

Said, "Transparency in political spending is not partisan. Voters deserve to know who is funding the campaigns that shape their representation. Dark money corrupts the entire process."

- Seeks to overturn the Citizens United ruling that states corporations and unions cannot be prohibited from making independent expenses in federal elections.
- Seeks to ban Congressional stock trading and supports imposing strict post-service lobbying bans.
- Supports Congressional term limits.
- Supports election reform so that there are open primaries, ranked-choice voting, and independent redistricting commissions.
- Believes "Congress must reclaim its authority over war."
- Believes presidential emergency powers must be limited.
- Said, "The Fourth Amendment must protect Americans from government overreach and from corporate surveillance."
- Said, "Transparency in political spending is not partisan. Voters deserve to know who is funding the campaigns that shape their representation. Dark money corrupts the entire process."

Patrick J Wilver

- Believes in using the law to address racial gaps in wealth.
- Wants to restore "progressive taxation" by closing corporate loopholes and reinstating inheritance taxes on "massive dynastic wealth."
- Supports fully funding Social Security by removing the payroll cap.
- Supports paid family leave for all.

- Supports stronger protections for wetlands, saltwater marshes, and other ecosystems.
- Supports stronger air and water protections
- Supports safeguarding aquifers and freshwater resources and cleaning up contaminated sites.
- Supports infrastructure investments that protect coastal communities from flooding.

As of March 11, 2026, Patrick J Wilver did not have a website or any information online.

Randy Zurcher is from Spencer, Oklahoma. He has a bachelor's degree in secondary education from John Brown University. He lives in Savannah and is a husband and father.

Randy currently works as a realtor at NorthGroup Real Estate and a representative of the American Federation of Teachers. He previously worked as a realtor for Corcoran Austin Hill Realty, a consultant at Senior Life Services, a freight agent at LandRShore Logistics, a location manager at Railcrew Express, a branch manager at Professional Transportation, Inc., and a realtor at Keller Williams Realty.

Randall Jay Zurcher campaign for Georgia 1st Congressional District representative is his first time running for public office.

Randy previously served two terms as a member of the Fayetteville, Arkansas City Council.

U.S. Senate, U.S. House candidates for 2026 primary ballot

- Plans to increase housing affordability by increasing housing construction, federal resources, rent support, flood resilience, and partnering with local leaders.
- Said, "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."

Randall (Randy) Jay Zurcher

- Your US Representative represents the interests of your district in the US House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. Georgia currently has 14 US Representatives.
- US Representatives can author, sponsor, debate, and vote on bills that become national law.
- Representatives may serve on congressional committees. Committees focus on certain policy areas, such as transportation, education, or labor. They may also run for higher positions within their party, such as the Speaker of the House or Majority/Minority Leader.
- Representatives are elected to two-year terms. To hold this office, a candidate must be a legal resident of Georgia and a US citizen for at least seven years before their election. US Representatives are paid a salary of $174,000/year.

Your representative and federal lawmaker in the US House of Representatives.

Georgia US Representative, District 1, Democratic Primary

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