2026 Georgia Primary Election

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Nonpartisan

Republican

2026 Georgia Primary Runoff

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Jessica Candice Showell earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Towson University, a master's degree in mathematics, and a doctorate degree in teaching and learning from Georgia State University.

Clayton County candidates qualify for May 19 election

Jessica's campaign for Clayton County Board of Education District 8 is her first run for public office.

Jessica currently works as a mathematics specialist at Pearson, an education publishing and assessment company. She previously worked as a lecturer in mathematics at Clayton State University, a graduate research assistant at Georgia State University, and a high school mathematics teacher in the DeKalb County School District.

As of March 11, 2026, Jessica Candice Showell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Access to Education

Supports strong instructional practices and resources that help every student reach their full academic potential.

Advocates for programs that prepare students for higher education, skilled careers, and lifelong success.

Wants to strengthen opportunities for students to develop strong skills in science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, and problem-solving.

- Supports strong instructional practices and resources that help every student reach their full academic potential.
- Advocates for programs that prepare students for higher education, skilled careers, and lifelong success.
- Wants to strengthen opportunities for students to develop strong skills in science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, and problem-solving.

School Curriculum

Aims to ensure every student has access to the resources, programs, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Promotes open communication and responsible decision-making that keeps the community informed and involved.

- Aims to ensure every student has access to the resources, programs, and opportunities they need to thrive.
- Promotes open communication and responsible decision-making that keeps the community informed and involved.

School Facilities & Resources

Seeks to ensure schools are places where students feel safe, respected, and supported in their learning.

- Seeks to ensure schools are places where students feel safe, respected, and supported in their learning.

Student Wellbeing

Advocates for the tools, professional support, and working conditions educators need to effectively serve students.

- Advocates for the tools, professional support, and working conditions educators need to effectively serve students.

Teachers

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Jessica Candice Showell

As of March 11, 2026, Jessica Candice Showell did not have a website or any information online.

Isaac Brickman

Matthew Tomas

Sahid Burgos

Walter Ley

Board of Education  Ms. Joy Tellis Cooper, District 8

Joy Tellis Cooper has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Clark Atlanta University and a master's degree in business administration from Georgia Southern University.

Joy currently works for a specialized diagnostics company. She previously worked as a talent acquisition partner for Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors, an accounts receivable accountant for Crawford & Company, a reconciliation manager for DS Services, a customer specialist for Atlanta Postal Credit Union, and a billing supervisor for Turner Broadcasting System.

Joy Tellis Cooper - Ballotpedia

Joy currently serves as the board member for Clayton County Public School's 8th District. She was first elected in 2021, and is serving her first term. Joy previously ran for Clayton County Public School Board's 8th District in 2018, but did not win.

As of March 11, 2026, Joy Tellis Cooper did not have a website or any information online.

Dedicated to "continuing the work of improving student achievement across our district," ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Wants to support and develop policies that positively impact children, while upholding strong governance and accountability.

- Dedicated to "continuing the work of improving student achievement across our district," ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.
- Wants to support and develop policies that positively impact children, while upholding strong governance and accountability.

Claims to be focused on "overseeing our budget with fiscal responsibility, making sure every dollar is used wisely and in the best interest of our schools and community."

- Claims to be focused on "overseeing our budget with fiscal responsibility, making sure every dollar is used wisely and in the best interest of our schools and community."

Twitter

Joy Tellis Cooper

Joy Tellis Cooper has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Clark Atlanta University and a master's degree in business administration from Georgia Southern University. She is a member of Gamma Phi Delta Business and Professional Sorority, the National Black MBA Association, SBANA, and the Clark Atlanta University National Alumni Association, and has volunteered with the Clayton County Federation of Democratic Women (Founding Member), Adamson Middle School PTSA, and Women of CAU.

Joy currently works as an AR Manager for Werfen North America, a specialized diagnostics company. She previously worked as a talent acquisition partner for Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors, an accounts receivable accountant for Crawford & Company, a reconciliation manager for DS Services, a customer specialist for Atlanta Postal Credit Union, and a billing supervisor for Turner Broadcasting System.

As of March 11, 2026, Joy Tellis Cooper’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Said "I am dedicated to continuing the work of improving student achievement across our district, ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed."
- Said "I will continue to support and develop policies that positively impact our children, while upholding strong governance and accountability."

- Said "I will remain focused on overseeing our budget with fiscal responsibility, making sure every dollar is used wisely and in the best interest of our schools and community."

Zachary Mangels

Buket Urgen

Vanessa C Battle attended Clayton State University and studied political science. She has two children. 

Vanessa is a paralegal and works at Clayton County Public Schools. She was the Chief of Staff for former State Representative Mike Glanton. 

As of March 11, 2026, Vanessa C Battle’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Prioritizes early reading proficiency, grade-level mastery, and college- and career-ready instruction.

- Prioritizes early reading proficiency, grade-level mastery, and college- and career-ready instruction.

Youtube

Vanessa C Battle

Vanessa C Battle is from Dallas, Texas. She attended Clayton State University and studied political science. She has two children. 

Vanessa is a paralegal and DeKalb count public schools. She is also the founder and ceo of  Beautiful Butterfly Inc. and CEO of Creative Minds Partners LLC. Previously, she worked in Clayton County Public Schools and as the chief of staff for former State Representative Mike Glanton. 

Milan Parker

- 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

Clayton County Board of Education Member, District 8, Democratic Primary

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Access to Education

School Curriculum

School Facilities & Resources

Student Wellbeing

Teachers