GOP race goes to runoff; Powell secures Dem nomination
Georgia’s Republican State School Superintendent Richard Woods faces a June 16 runoff with Candler County Schools Superintendent Fred “Bubba” Longgrear after the incumbent narrowly missed the vote threshold needed to secure the GOP nomination in the May 19 primary election. Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Lydia Powell has locked up her party’s nomination, with just over 50% of the vote.
Woods earned 49.88% of the vote, just short of the 50% plus one vote benchmark needed to win.
“In a crowded primary with heavy spending against him from outside PACs and special interest groups, Superintendent Woods leads with a 20% margin and won 150 out of 159 counties,” Woods’ campaign said in a statement.
Woods’ campaign website touts how overall graduation rates have risen during his tenure, his successful efforts to work with state lawmakers to reduce the number of tests students are required to take and literacy efforts, such as a pilot program that placed literacy coaches in the state’s lowest-performing schools, several of which saw test scores improve the following year.
Woods is seeking a fourth term as superintendent. During the 2026 legislative session, he received some fierce criticism from fellow Republicans who were unhappy with state test scores and overall communication from the Georgia Department of Education. House Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington, even endorsed Longgrear in the primary, saying that Longgrear understands the “responsibility and urgency” of the work needed to improve literacy in the state.
Longgrear, who is the president of the Georgia School Superintendents Association, garnered just over 29% of the vote. He raised the most money of any candidate in the race, many of the contributions coming from fellow district superintendents.
Having worked in two small Georgia school districts — Tattnall and Candler counties — Longgrear said if elected the state’s top educator, he’ll prioritize listening to the needs of schools and districts across the state.
“It’s creating an environment within the DOE where we are going to be customer service, we’re going to serve teachers, we’re going to serve districts, we’re going to ensure that that all of the federal requirements are met, state requirements are met, but I think you do that by having good people that are working there (and) creating an environment of trust,” he said.
Powell, who has worked in metro Atlanta districts including DeKalb, Clayton and Fayette counties, said in addition to reaching out to voters in those areas, her campaign made an effort to be accessible, which she believes is the reason for her strong showing in more rural areas like Colquitt, Columbia and Dade counties.
“I was just so proud and happy, because (helping rural schools) is part of my platform, and I just am so excited that they believe in me and believe in what I’m saying … and that is what I’m going to hold true to, helping rural Georgia,” Powell told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
If elected statewide, Powell said she’d focus on making sure schools have the resources they need to close achievement gaps, improve performance and increase graduation rates.
About the Author
Martha Dalton is a journalist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, writing about K-12 education. She was previously a senior education reporter at WABE, Atlanta's NPR affiliate. Before that, she was a general assignment reporter at CNN Radio. Martha has worked in media for more than 20 years. She taught elementary school in a previous life.
