8 candidates vie to be Georgia’s next schools superintendent
Incumbency can be an advantage in politics. It can also be a liability, depending on the mood of voters. Georgians will soon decide if it’s a plus or a minus for current State Schools Superintendent Richard Woods.
A Republican, Woods was first elected to be the state’s top educator in 2014. He’s seeking a fourth term, but will face four GOP challengers during the May 19 primary. Three candidates are also facing off for the Democratic Party nomination.
During this year’s legislative session, Woods faced questions from lawmakers about student achievement, particularly third grade English/language arts scores. Just 35% of third graders attained grade level proficiency or higher on state issued ELA tests last year.
Part of the superintendent’s job is to monitor testing and academic standards. The office is also responsible for distributing funding to school districts and overseeing accountability measures.
Here’s a look at the candidates who want to oversee Georgia’s public school system.
Democrats
Anton Anthony
Anton Anthony is the superintendent of Hancock County Schools in Sparta.
His campaign website says he wants to “fix broken systems, spark innovation, and prepare every Georgia student to thrive.” The site says Anthony’s vision is “future-ready graduates who can innovate, lead, and create jobs right here in Georgia.”
Lydia Powell
Lydia Powell is an assistant principal at Hampton High School in Henry County.
Her campaign website says she has 26 years of experience in education, including 11 in leadership.
Her platform includes expanding access to early learning, increasing support for teachers, including mental health services, and strengthening rural communities.
Otha Thornton
A retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, Otha Thornton taught at the college level and in K-12 schools and is a former National PTA president.
He was the 2018 Democratic nominee for state superintendent but lost to Woods. Thornton’s campaign website says he’s “the only candidate who is both a current educator and a seasoned executive leader who knows how to manage a multibillion-dollar system (due to his time at the PTA).”
Republicans
Nelva Lee
Nelva Lee has a Ph.D. in health administration and was the CEO of a vocational school for 20 years, according to her campaign website.
Her platform includes increasing workforce training, ensuring students are prepared for college and expanding Georgia’s Promise Scholarship, the state’s most recent school voucher program.
Fred ‘Bubba’ Longgrear
Fred “Bubba” Longgrear has been the superintendent of the Candler County School District in Metter for the past 11 years. He’s also the president of the Georgia School Superintendents Association.
He has raised $239,188, more than any other candidate in the race and recently secured the endorsement of Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns, who made literacy a cornerstone of his legislative agenda this year.
Longgrear’s campaign website says he’s running for state superintendent because he “believes Georgia public schools are facing a leadership crisis.”
Mesha Mainor
Mesha Mainor is a former state representative from Atlanta. She left the Democratic Party in 2023 and became a Republican. Her vote in support of a school voucher bill caused friction in the Democratic caucus.
Mainor’s campaign website says she founded a language immersion school and a program to help disadvantaged children develop professional skills. Mainor told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast that she’s challenging Woods in the primary because she can do a better job overseeing school districts.
“I believe that the Republican constituency wants better schools,” she said. “They want their children to be safe over, ‘Who is the incumbent?’”
Randell Trammell
Randell Trammell founded the Georgia Center for Civic Engagement, a nonprofit focused on expanding civics education.
He holds an undergraduate degree and MBA from Reinhardt University and a doctorate in education from Northeastern University.
His campaign website says he’s running for superintendent because he wants the best options for all children.
“I want nothing but the very best for Georgia’s students,” the site says. “Our children deserve excellence!”
Richard Woods (incumbent)
A former high school teacher and school principal, Richard Woods has served three terms as superintendent.
During his 12-year tenure, he has supported the Legislature’s efforts to revamp literacy instruction and created a task force to examine teacher burnout. He was also outspoken about reducing the number of standardized tests Georgia students are required to take and championed legislation that pared back testing in schools.
Woods’ campaign lists increased high school graduation rates, expanding fine arts programs in schools and creating a teacher recruitment program as some of his achievements.
When Woods ran for reelection in 2022, he pulled off a feat few Republicans have. The Georgia Association of Educators endorsed him over then-Democratic nominee Alisha Thomas Searcy. The GAE has historically backed Democrats, and most of its 2022 endorsements were for Democrats. However, the organization cited Woods’ experience as an educator as their main reason for backing him.
The GAE has not endorsed any candidates in the primary.
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.
