Politics
Politics

Georgia PSC candidates compete in two races that impact consumer bills

Expansion is under way at nuclear Plant Vogtle south of Augusta. Elected members of the Public Servic Commission will ultimately decide how much of the project’s costs will be rolled into Georgia Power customers’ bills. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM
Expansion is under way at nuclear Plant Vogtle south of Augusta. Elected members of the Public Servic Commission will ultimately decide how much of the project’s costs will be rolled into Georgia Power customers’ bills. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM
By Matt Kempner
Oct 8, 2020

Two of five seats on are up for statewide vote on the Georgia Public Service Commission, which regulates Georgia Power and natural gas supplier Atlanta Gas Light. Southern Company, the parent of both companies, has praised its PSC relationships. The PSC will decide how much of Georgia Power’s overruns on the nuclear expansion of Plant Vogtle will be paid by customers.

District 1 incumbent Jason Shaw, a Republican former state legislator from Lakeland appointed to fill an unexpired PSC term, faces Robert Bryant, a Savannah Democrat who held higher education executive positions, and Elizabeth Melton, a Columbus Libertarian and freelance technical writer.

District 4 incumbent Lauren “Bubba” McDonald, an 81-year-old Republican from Habersham County, faces Forsyth County Democrat Daniel Blackman, a 41-year-old former business consultant, and Libertarian Nathan Wilson, 35, a Bartow County cabinet maker and former executive director of the state Libertarian Party.

ExploreAJC Voter Guide for the Georgia Election

About the Author

Matt Kempner is an award-winning journalist who seeks out intriguing twists about people and subjects beyond what the AJC might typically cover. A former columnist and editor, his past assignments have included business investigations, energy, the economy, entrepreneurs, big business, consumer spending, politics, government and the environment.

Follow Matt Kempner on facebookFollow Matt Kempner on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Georgia Lt. Gov. Lester Maddox, angry about an article, burns a copy of The Atlanta Constitution in the state Senate on March 10, 1971, saying the paper did not have the "guts, integrity, manhood or decency" to report the situation accurately. (AJC file)

Credit: AP FILE

‘Fish wrapper’: The AJC’s complicated relationship with Georgia’s political class

How generations of Georgia leaders battled, berated and depended on the AJC.

A viral confrontation and a sudden resignation shake up Georgia GOP

The man behind the vigilante sting operation that apparently netted a teenage GOP official says he has no regrets.

Groups tied to First Liberty accused of campaign finance violations

Two Republican groups linked to the defunct First Liberty Building & Loan likely sought to illegally influence Georgia elections, the State Ethics Commission charged Thursday.

The Latest

Ja’Quon Stembridge, shown here in July at the Henry County Republican Party monthly meeting, recently stepped from his position with the Georgia GOP. (Jenni Girtman for the AJC)

Credit: Jenni Girtman

A viral confrontation and a sudden resignation shake up Georgia GOP

‘Fish wrapper’: The AJC’s complicated relationship with Georgia’s political class

Groups tied to First Liberty accused of campaign finance violations

Featured

Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Atlanta opens door on first modular rapid-housing for homeless residents

The first-of-its-kind development, Waterworks Village, overlooks the nearby reservoir. It's part of Mayor Andre Dickens' initiative to build 500 units of for the unhoused.

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Local GOP sees ‘danger’ in a chaotic race to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene

Republican leaders in Georgia's 14th Congressional District worry a crowded field in a special election could give Democrats a chance to win.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Two centennials, one story: Delta and the Atlanta airport

Delta Air Lines and Hartsfield-Jackson both turn 100 this year, and you can’t tell the story of one without the other.