2026 Georgia Primary Election

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2026 Georgia Primary Runoff

Get To Know Dr. Deborah Williams – Candidate for Columbia County BOE

Dr. Deborah Williams received her bachelor's degree and master's degree from South Carolina State University and her doctorate degree from Nova University.

After 44 years in education, Dr. Deborah Williams isn’t done yet

Deborah's campaign for District 2 on the Columbia County School Board is her first run for public office.

Deborah is a retired educator, school psychologist, and administrator. Her most recent position was teaching part-time in the Central Savannah River Area Regional Educational Services Agency. Before that, Deborah worked as a superintendent and school director in the Columbia County District. She started her career as a special education teacher and school psychologist in South Carolina.

Access to Education

Wants the curriculum to challenge students' creativity.

Thinks the community should have a say in decisions about students' education.

Thinks students need to be prepared for a changing world.

- Wants the curriculum to challenge students' creativity.
- Thinks the community should have a say in decisions about students' education.
- Thinks students need to be prepared for a changing world.

School Curriculum

Supports making the school budget more transparent by breaking down broad categories like "instruction" into specifics like "teacher salaries," "classroom supplies," and "curriculum materials."

Supports the work of Columbia County's Career, Technical and Agricultural Education program for students interested in the trades, technical careers, or entering the military.

Would consider refunding taxpayer money if a local data center meets county revenue projections.

- Supports making the school budget more transparent by breaking down broad categories like "instruction" into specifics like "teacher salaries," "classroom supplies," and "curriculum materials."
- Supports the work of Columbia County's Career, Technical and Agricultural Education program for students interested in the trades, technical careers, or entering the military.
- Would consider refunding taxpayer money if a local data center meets county revenue projections.

School Facilities & Resources

Believes the school environment should be safe and nurturing.

- Believes the school environment should be safe and nurturing.

Student Wellbeing

Will aim to strengthen support for teachers and staff.

- Will aim to strengthen support for teachers and staff.

Teachers

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Deborah Williams

Dr. Deborah Williams received her bachelor's degree and master's degree from South Carolina State University and her PhD from Nova University.

Deborah's campaign for District 2 on the Columbia County School Board is her first run for elected office.

Deborah is a retired educator, school psychologist, and administrator. Her most recent position was teaching part-time in the Central Savannah River Area Regional Educational Services Agency until her retirement in 2025. Before that, she worked as a superintendent and school director in the Columbia County District until 2021. She started her career as a special education teacher and school psychologist in South Carolina.

Alejandra Gracias

Rafael Perez

Sam Scruby

Buket Urgen

Walter Ley

Meet Kimberly Howard  for Columbia County Board of Education!

Kimberly's campaign for the Columbia County Board of Education is her first run for public office.

Kimberly previously served in the U.S. Army.

Believes every child deserves access to a safe, supportive, and academically strong learning environment.

- Believes every child deserves access to a safe, supportive, and academically strong learning environment.

As of March 11, 2026, Kimberly Lashay Howard’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Wants to strenghten family-school partnerships.

- Thinks educators deserve resources.
- Wants to strenghten family-school partnerships.

Champions comprehensive support services.

Aims to foster a culture where every student has the opportunity to succeed.

- Champions comprehensive support services.
- Aims to foster a culture where every student has the opportunity to succeed.

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Kimberly Lashay Howard

As of March 11, 2026, Kimberly Lashay Howard did not have a website or any information online.

Homebuilders executive Tiffany Heitzman announces bid for Columbia County BOE

Tiffany Heitzman attended the University of South Carolina and has an organizational management certification from the US Chamber of Commerce. She is married, has three daughters, lives in Grovetown, Georgia, and attends Warren Grovetown Church.

LinkedIn

Columbia County Library System Board

Tiffany is the Chief Executive Officer of the Home Builders Association of the Greater Aiken-Augusta Region. She previously served as vice president of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and president and chief executive officer of the Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce in South Carolina. She also was appointed to represent District 2 on the Columbia County Library System Board.

Tiffany's campaign for District 2 on the Columbia County Board of Education is her first run for public office.

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

Recognizes that some students will be going to college, others will be entering the workforce, and others will be pursuing the trades and believes that students should have the option to pursue different curricula depending on their post-high school plans.

Believes that "Parents should always have a voice in their child's education."

- Recognizes that some students will be going to college, others will be entering the workforce, and others will be pursuing the trades and believes that students should have the option to pursue different curricula depending on their post-high school plans.
- Believes that "Parents should always have a voice in their child's education."

Will prioritize getting classrooms and teachers the "resources they need.'

Wants the school district to be more fiscally responsible by "eliminating waste" and making transparent financial decisions.

- Will prioritize getting classrooms and teachers the "resources they need.'
- Wants the school district to be more fiscally responsible by "eliminating waste" and making transparent financial decisions.

Tiffany Heitzman

Tiffany is the chief executive officer of the Home Builders Association of the Greater Aiken-Augusta Region. She previously served as vice president of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and president and chief executive officer of the Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce in South Carolina. Tiffany also was appointed to represent District 2 on the Columbia County Library System Board.

- Will prioritize getting classrooms and teachers the resources they need.
- Wants the school district to be more fiscally responsible by eliminating waste and making transparent financial decisions.

Tiffany Heitzman lives in Grovetown. She attended the University of South Carolina and has an organizational management certification from the US Chamber of Commerce. She is married and has three daughters, and the family attends Warren Grovetown Church.

Tiffany is chief executive officer of the Home Builders Association of the Greater Aiken-Augusta Region. She previously served as vice president of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, and before that as president and chief executive officer of the Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce in South Carolina. Tiffany also was appointed to represent District 2 on the Columbia County Library System Board.

Tiffany's campaign for District 2 on the Columbia County Board of Education is her first run for elected office.

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. The Board of Education is entirely independent from the rest of the county government.
- Board of Education members work together to make school policy, set the budget, and appoint the superintendent to run the schools day to day.
- Board of Education members are elected to four-year terms in nonpartisan elections.

Part of the board that governs your county's public school system

Columbia County Board of Education Member, District 2

Election results

Runoff election

Candidates (3)

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Access to Education

School Curriculum

School Facilities & Resources

Student Wellbeing

Teachers