ATLANTA, GA — Today, A.T.L. N.E.W.S. officially launches its 2026 Gubernatorial Comparative Tool.

This isn’t your typical voter guide. We didn’t ask the candidates about polling data or attack ads. Instead, we challenged every qualified candidate in the race to define their vision through our proprietary A.T.L. Agenda—three structural pillars that determine the future of our state: Art, Trade, and Lifestyle.

The Outreach

Our goal was simple: provide a non-partisan platform for candidates to speak directly to the issues that matter to metro Atlanta and beyond—from the stability of the film tax credit (Art) and the expansion of MARTA (Trade) to the crisis of housing affordability (Lifestyle).

To ensure every candidate was measured by the same yardstick, we presented three specific questions designed to cut through standard political rhetoric:

• ART: “How will you protect and amplify Georgia’s creative economy, from film production to local arts?”
  • The Purpose: Georgia is a global powerhouse for film, but the stability of the Film Tax Credit and support for local creators are often subject to political shifts. We asked this to see which candidates view the arts not just as “culture,” but as a critical economic engine.
• TRADE: “What is your specific blueprint for commerce, infrastructure, and the expansion of transit (MARTA)?”
  • The Purpose: As metro Atlanta grows, infrastructure is under immense pressure. This question forces candidates to move beyond “fixing roads” and address the structural reality of transit and the movement of goods in a global logistics corridor.
• LIFESTYLE: “What specific actions will you take to improve community wellbeing, housing equity, and daily quality of life?”
  • The Purpose: The “Georgia Success Story” is incomplete if residents can’t afford rent or access healthcare. This pillar focuses on the human element of governance and tangible plans for housing affordability.

The Response

Transparency is a core value of the A.T.L. Agenda. As of our publication deadline, none of the 15 candidates have submitted formal responses to the questionnaire. Republican candidate Ken Yasger remains the only candidate to personally engage with our bureau. During a follow-up call to resolve technical email issues, Yasger confirmed the right email and expressed a willingness to participate; however, as of this morning, his official comments remain outstanding.

The Pivot: Accountability in Action

At A.T.L. N.E.W.S., we believe the voters of Georgia deserve answers even when the campaigns are silent. This profile series is a strictly non-partisan effort of reporting, designed to give each candidate the fair chance to share their agenda with our readers. This series is in no way an endorsement of any candidate.

Starting Monday, May 4th, we will begin our daily Alphabetical Runway. Every morning, we will publish two in-depth candidate profiles—one Republican and one Democrat—until the entire field is covered. These profiles are built on independent research, utilizing each candidate’s public record, legislative history, and debate performances to answer the A.T.L. Agenda questions for them.

The Schedule

Our 8-day countdown to the primary will pair candidates alphabetically:

• Monday, May 4: Chris Carr (R) & Olu Brown (D)
• Tuesday, May 5: Clark Dean (R) & Geoff Duncan (D)
• …continuing daily through Wednesday, May 13.

The A.T.L. Agenda is about setting a new standard for hyperlocal reporting. We invite the candidates to join the conversation at any time; as they do, their profiles will be updated to reflect their direct words. Here is a preview of what we have so far and will expand further next week with our profile series. this will be a nonpartisan series with no affiliation to no candidate or party. All candidates will be treated fairly with the same treatment as others.

Keisha Lance Bottoms

• Originally From: Atlanta, GA (Southwest Atlanta).
• Georgia Residency: Lifelong.
• Years in Politics: ~16 years (Atlanta City Council 2010–2017; Mayor of Atlanta 2018–2022; White House Senior Advisor 2022–2023).
• Career: Attorney and judge; former Executive Director of the Atlanta and Fulton County Recreation Authority.
• Platform: Expanding Medicaid, eliminating state income taxes for teachers, offering free technical and community college, and establishing a statewide affordable housing trust fund.
• Known For: Her leadership of Atlanta during the 2020 social unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as her role as a high-level advisor to the Biden-Harris administration.

Michael Thurmond

• Originally From: Clarke County, GA (raised as a sharecropper’s son).
• Georgia Residency: Lifelong.
• Years in Politics: ~40 years (GA General Assembly 1986; DFACS Director; GA Labor Commissioner 1999–2011; DeKalb CEO 2017–2024).
• Career: Attorney and historian/author; served as Superintendent of DeKalb County Schools.
• Platform: “Pocketbook” relief for families, protecting and expanding healthcare access, and creating multiple pathways in the education system beyond traditional four-year degrees.
• Known For: His reputation as a “fiscal stabilizer” who fixed DeKalb County’s budget and his deep expertise in Georgia’s historical and labor issues.

Geoff Duncan

• Originally From: Johns Creek, GA (Chattahoochee High School alum).
• Georgia Residency: Lifelong.
• Years in Politics: ~13 years (State House 2013–2017; Lt. Governor 2019–2023).
• Career: Former professional baseball player (Florida Marlins organization); Tech Entrepreneur/Healthcare executive.
• Platform: Bipartisan reform, market-driven transit solutions, and a “love thy neighbor” approach to public policy after switching from the GOP to the Democratic party in 2025.
• Known For: Being a former Republican Lt. Governor who broke with his party over election integrity and is now the only Democrat in the race who has previously won a statewide election in Georgia.

Jason Esteves

• Originally From: Columbus, GA (Roots in the Puerto Rican community).
• Georgia Residency: Lifelong.
• Years in Politics: ~10 years (Atlanta Board of Education 2014–2022; State Senate 2023–Present).
• Career: Former public school teacher; Attorney at a Fortune 400 company.
• Platform: Reducing the cost of childcare, protecting reproductive freedom, making Georgia the top state for small businesses, and the “Black Men’s Agenda.”
• Known For: Being the first Afro-Latino elected to the Georgia State Senate and his focus on bridging educational outcomes with economic wealth-building.

Derrick Jackson

• Originally From: Pinetops, NC (Resident of Tyrone, GA for decades).
• Georgia Residency: ~25+ years.
• Years in Politics: ~9 years (State Representative 2016–Present).
• Career: U.S. Navy Veteran (22 years, Commander); Adjunct Professor and Corporate Executive.
• Platform: Raising the minimum wage to “at least” $15/hr, repealing the six-week abortion ban, and curbing gun violence through universal background checks.
• Known For: His 42 years of leadership experience across military and legislative sectors and his role as a surrogate for the 2024 Harris campaign.

Olu Brown

• Originally From: Lufkin, TX (Resident of East Point/South DeKalb area).
• Georgia Residency: ~15+ years.
• Years in Politics: First-time candidate.
• Career: Entrepreneur and Faith Leader; Founder/Lead Pastor of Impact United Methodist Church.
• Platform: Baseline teacher pay of $50,000+, utilizing the $14B state surplus for citizen benefit, and “moral” fiscal conservatism.
• Known For: Building one of the fastest-growing churches in the U.S. and his focus on moving Georgia into a “New Chapter” through spiritual and entrepreneurial leadership.

Amanda Duffy

• Originally From: Georgia.
• Georgia Residency: Lifelong.
• Years in Politics: First-time candidate.
• Career: Accountant and Financial Consultant.
• Platform: Fiscal transparency, stopping unfunded state mandates on counties, and social-emotional learning investments in schools.
• Known For: Her background in professional accounting, bringing a “data-first” auditor’s eye to state spending and infrastructure.

Republican Candidate Profiles

Brad Raffensperger

• Originally From: Virginia (moved to Duluth, GA in 1982).
• Georgia Residency: 44 years (Johns Creek resident since 1998).
• Years in Politics: ~14 years (City Council 2012; State House 2015; SOS 2019–Present).
• Career: CEO of Tendon Systems, LLC (Structural Engineering); Professional Engineer licensed in 25+ states.
• Platform: Election integrity, streamlining business licensing, and conservative fiscal management.
• Known For: His high-profile defense of Georgia’s 2020 election results and his background as a “technical” leader rather than a career politician.

Burt Jones

• Originally From: Jackson, GA (6th generation native).
• Georgia Residency: Lifelong.
• Years in Politics: ~13 years (State Senate 2013–2023; Lt. Governor 2023–Present).
• Career: Executive at Jones Petroleum; Founder of JP Capital & Insurance, Inc. (Risk Management).
• Platform: Elimination of state income tax, expanding school choice, and empowering law enforcement.
• Known For: Former UGA football captain and a key ally of the grassroots conservative movement in Georgia.

Chris Carr

• Originally From: Georgia (native).
• Georgia Residency: Lifelong.
• Years in Politics: ~12 years (Economic Development Commissioner 2013; Attorney General 2016–Present).
• Career: Attorney; former Chief of Staff to Sen. Johnny Isakson.
• Platform: Law and Order (Gang/Human Trafficking prosecution) as the foundation for economic trade.
• Known For: Being a “Constitutionalist” Attorney General and his deep ties to Georgia’s traditional Republican establishment.

Rick Jackson

• Originally From: Midtown Atlanta, GA.
• Georgia Residency: Lifelong.
• Years in Politics: First-time candidate (longtime political donor).
• Career: Founder and CEO of Jackson Healthcare (Healthcare staffing).
• Platform: Freezing property taxes, cutting income tax in half, and opposing “equal outcomes” (DEI).
• Known For: Self-funding “outsider” candidate; foster care advocate; owner of the famous “Le Rêve” estate in Cumming.

Clark Dean

• Originally From: Georgia (native).
• Georgia Residency: Lifelong.
• Years in Politics: First-time candidate.
• Career: Real Estate Executive (Founder of Transwestern’s Transaction Sciences Group); Biomedical Engineer.
• Platform: Increasing housing affordability, improving rural healthcare outcomes, and public-private innovation.
• Known For: Business innovator and civic leader; former President of the Rotary Club of Atlanta.

Ken Yasger

• Originally From: Out-of-state (Southern Illinois University alum).
• Georgia Residency: ~15 years.
• Years in Politics: Perennial candidate (ran for Congress 2020, State Senate 2022).
• Career: U.S. Army Veteran (Infantry); hospitality industry professional.
• Platform: Regulatory legalization of cannabis, suspending the gas tax, and legalizing gambling to fund education.
• Known For: Libertarian-leaning Republican outsider focused on personal freedom and ending “sin taxes.”

Thomas Williams

• Originally From: Georgia.
• Georgia Residency: Lifelong.
• Years in Politics: Career public servant (Local/State levels).
• Career: Public Administration and Government Affairs.
• Platform: Traditional GOP values, focusing on local control and infrastructure maintenance (Trade).
• Known For: Focus on “meat and potatoes” governance over partisan flashpoints.

Gregg Kirkpatrick

• Originally From: Georgia.
• Georgia Residency: Lifelong.
• Years in Politics: ~4 years (active in local development boards).
• Career: Tech Entrepreneur and Workforce Consultant.
• Platform: STEAM education, tech-startup incentives, and workforce housing.
• Known For: Bridging the gap between the modern tech economy and Georgia’s traditional labor force.