The extraordinarily crowded race for Georgia superintendent picked up another candidate today, when former Hall County Commissioner Ashley Bell announced that he is entering the race.

Bell, who started a non-profit education group and has served on charter school governing councils in north Georgia, is at least the 14th candidate who has announced plans run.

Current Superintendent John Barge is running for governor, leaving the $120,000-per year seat open.

Bell said he will run as a Republican and will focus on transparency and accountability in education.

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Former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan tours the training facility at Sheet Medal Workers Local 85 in Atlanta with union leaders Steve Langley (center) and Allen Still. (Patricia Murphy/AJC)

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Angie McBrayer, ex-wife of James Aaron McBrayer, leans her head on her son Sam McBrayer as she and her three children and two grandchildren (from left) Jackson McBrayer, 3, Piper Jae McBrayer, 7, Katy Isaza, and Jordan McBrayer, visit the grave of James McBrayer, Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Tifton. He died after being restrained by Tift County sheriff's deputies on April 24, 2019. His ex-wife witnessed the arrest and said she thought the deputies were being rough but did not imagine that McBrayer would die. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC