Friday marked the last day of early voting, but residents have one more chance to select their party nominees for lieutenant governor.
The Georgia primary for the midterm election will be held Tuesday, May 19. Polls will open at 7 a.m., and as long as voters are in line by 7 p.m., they can make their selections in some of Georgia's most important races.
The primary will determine who will either head into a runoff on June 16, or who will receive an admission ticket into the Nov. 3 general election.
Candidates must clear the required 50 percent plus one vote threshold to avoid a runoff in the primary.
With current Lt. Gov. Burt Jones vying for the governor's office, 10 candidates are hoping to fill his seat.
Georgia's lieutenant governor is the second in command at the state level and oversees Georgia Senate debates. The lieutenant governor may hold executive powers only if the governor is incapacitated.
Get to know all the candidates running for lieutenant governor, as well as their take on some local issues (in no particular order). These viewpoints do not represent Patch but rather the candidates.
Party: Democrat
Title: Attorney, former state house representative and state senator
The Issues
A Georgia native, McLaurin attended Yale University and graduated from the University of Georgia.
He has been a member of the Georgia General Assembly for nearly 10 years and now represents the state's 14th Senate District.
In the Legislature, he helped pass consumer protection laws and was instrumental in securing $1 million to benefit veterans facing post-traumatic stress, according to his campaign site.
"It's time to get serious," he said in an April 26 debate. "It's time to put real experience and a steady hand in the nomination position so that we can flip the state for Democrats and have a new era in Georgia."
Party: Democrat
Title: Former state senator
The Issues
Parkes was 32-years-old when she became the youngest woman to be elected to the Georgia State Senate and the first woman to give birth while serving in the Senate. Parkes added she was the first Muslim and South Asian woman to be elected to the Senate, according to her campaign site.
A daughter of immigrants, she benefitted from the HOPE Scholarship by becoming the first person in her family to graduate from college.
While a state senator, she served on committees for banking and financial institutions, children and families, science and technology, veterans, homeland security and military.
"We're in a critical moment in Georgia and in this nation," Parkes said at a recent debate. "This year, Democrats have to win elections. ... My story is Georgia's story, and that's why I know I can connect with voters."
Party: Democrat
Title: Certified public accountant
The Issues
A graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, Wright currently owns a certified public accounting firm.
The Fulton County resident has also been a chief financial officer in the nonprofit sector.
He said he is focusing his platform on civility, visionary leadership and affordability.
"You can depend on me fighting hard with the financial expertise to lead this state forward in a position of importance," he said during a debate.
Party: Republican
Title: Army veteran and state representative
The Issues
Clark, a Georgia native, attended Georgia Gwinnett College and obtained a license in real estate.
A veteran, he has served in Afghanistan and was honored with the Green Beret in the U.S. Army Special Forces, according to his campaign site.
In 2015, he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives and led the Welfare Fraud Study Committee and Interstate Cooperation Committee.
"You have seven candidates to choose from, but I can tell you I'm the only battle-tested candidate running in this race," Clark said at a debate. "... I've given up chairmanship on committees to stand against corruption, to be a voice for the people. Politicians talk, but I've been tested under fire, and I'm glad to do that as the next lieutenant governor of Georgia."
Party: Republican
Title: Businessman and state senator
The Issues
Dolezal's work is extensive and includes time as a tour manager for Christian singer Chris Tomlin, according to his campaign site. He has also completed other ministry work for local churches.
During some time, he crafted software that has been utilized by the likes of The White House, Chick-fil-A and the FL, the campaign site read.
As a senator, he has taken the helm of the Senate Transportation Committee and is a member of the Committee on Assignments.
"Right now, Georgia families are getting crushed by the cost of gas, groceries and property taxes - all while big politicians give billions to corporations," Dolezal said during a debate. "If you're tired of politicians protecting the powerful while telling you to wait in line, it's time to send them a message. Georgia doesn't belong to the lobbyist or the special interests, it belongs to you."
Party: Republican
Title: State senator
The Issues
A proud Trump supporter, Gooch has not been silent about his backing of the president.
He has served in the Georgia Senate since 2011, serving on committees such as Transportation, Appropriations and Judiciary.
He is a graduate of North Georgia College and State University, where he earned a master of public administration.
"As your next lieutenant governor, I'll stand up against the left, and I'll make sure Georgia will continue to be the conservative state that it is today," Gooch said at a debate.
Party: Republican
Title: State senator
The Issues
A graduate of Mercer University and Mercer University School of Law, Kennedy's portfolio includes his work as a civil litigator and a partner at a Macon-based law firm.
Kennedy has served in the Georgia Senate since first being elected in 2014. During his time in the Assembly, Kennedy served as the Floor Leader during former Gov. Nathan Deal's tenure and was the Caucus Chairman for the Senate Majority.
Beyond business, he served on the Executive Board of Directors for the Central Georgia Council and Boy Scouts of America.
"I'm running for lieutenant governor because I want to keep Georgia running, keep Georgia growing, and I want to keep Georgia safe," Kennedy said. "Georgia needs a proven conservative leader that actually gets results."
Party: Republican
Title: Marine Corps. veteran and researcher
The Issues
Nelson-Porter has an extensive education, according to Ballotpedia. She earned a doctor of philosophy from the University of Phoenix in 2004 and a doctorate in naturopathy in 2015.
She last ran for secretary of state in 2022, losing the race to current SOS Brad Raffensperger.
Nelson-Porter declined to participate in a recent debate among her opponents but has been vocal on X.
A champion of statewide research pertaining to banking fraud protection divisions, she tweeted on Tuesday, "Easy, Vote a Researcher for a Research Position! Dr. Brenda Lynn Nelson-Porter for Georgia Lieutenant Governor, Research Scholar #may19th #republican"
Party: Republican
Title: Army and Georgia National Guard veteran, small business owner and former state public officer
The Issues
For seven years, Swan served as a governor-appointed executive board member of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, according to her campaign site. There, she represented almost 700,00 veterans and their families.
One of her most prominent accolades include crafting, "The Veterans Anthem," an inspirational song that the University of Phoenix alumna was able to present to the U.S. Office of Secretary of Veteran Affairs.
"I believe Georgia belongs to the people, not the politicians. As the president of the Senate, I'm here to bring accountability and trust back to our state," she said during a debate.
"For too long, everyday Georgians (that are) veterans, our seniors and our working families have been ignored. As your lieutenant governor, I'll fight for my original idea to end property taxes, specifically for seniors and cut taxes on every day essentials like groceries, gas and hygiene."
Party: Republican
Title: State senator and attorney
The Issues
Since being elected in 2016, Tillery has served in the Georgia Senate, where he has chaired Appropriations.
The University of Georgia graduate started his public service career as a Toombs County Commission chairman in 2012.
His nonprofit portfolio includes being a member of the Kiwanis Club and graduating from Leadership Georgia, according to his campaign site.
"Lot of candidates are focused on each other, but while they're focused on each other, I'm focused on you," Tillery said at a debate. "I get it. I'm having a hard time with affordability, and you are, too. Gas, groceries and childcare cost more. We can do something about that. We just have to put people ahead of corporations, and I'm willing to do that."
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Georgia voters can check the Secretary of State's website for races on the ballot in their city. The last day to register to vote in the Georgia primary was April 20.
Voters should go to the My Voter Page to determine that they are eligible to vote and to find their polling place and early voting locations. Voters can also confirm their addresses are up to date and view sample ballots.
If there is a runoff election, it will be held on June 16. Absentee ballot applications will be accepted through June 5.
Georgia's law requires photo ID while voting — either in-person or absentee.
The following identifications are accepted for voting, according to the Secretary of State's office:
More information on voting ID requirements, including for absentee ballots, can be found here.
Read more information on voting in Georgia here.
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