Georgia’s 2026 Primary Election
& Prison Reform

The Crisis These Leaders Will Inherit

In October 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice found that conditions in Georgia’s prisons violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. Homicides surged from 8 in 2018 to over 100 in 2024. The state spent $700 million more on corrections between FY2022 and FY2026 — and every outcome got worse. The next governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general will decide whether Georgia addresses this crisis or ignores it.

Why These Races Matter for Prison Reform

Explore the Races

Click a race below for detailed candidate profiles, position breakdowns, and accountability matrices.

7 Key Findings

• Only 3 of 30+ statewide candidates have detailed prison reform positions: Jake Olinger (R-Governor), Josh McLaurin (D-Lt. Governor), and Tanya Miller (D-Attorney General).
• The two Republicans who advanced to the June 16 governor runoff — Burt Jones and Rick Jackson — offered zero positions on prison conditions, parole reform, GDC oversight, or the DOJ findings. (Chris Carr and Brad Raffensperger, who likewise took no reform positions, were eliminated May 19.)
• The Democratic gubernatorial nominee (Keisha Lance Bottoms, who won the primary outright) has relevant experience but has not prioritized prison reform in her 2026 campaign.
• The Lt. Governor’s race presents the starkest contrast: Josh McLaurin (D) — who advanced to the June 16 Democratic runoff — has the most extensive reform record of any statewide candidate. The two Republicans who advanced (John F. Kennedy and Greg Dolezal) have offered no documented prison-reform positions.
• The AG race is critically underexamined. The next Attorney General negotiates any DOJ consent decree on prison conditions. Only Tanya Miller — now the Democratic nominee — has addressed this; she faces Republican Brian Strickland in November.
• The Governor appoints the entire Parole Board. Only Jake Olinger committed to appointing members who will increase parole grant rates from the current 4.5% for lifers — but he did not advance past the May 19 primary.
• Rick Jackson’s late entry reshuffled the race — he advanced to the GOP runoff but offered no prison positions despite leading a $3 billion+ healthcare company.

Questions Every Candidate Should Answer

GPS has submitted these questions to every qualified statewide candidate. This guide will be updated as responses are received.

1. The DOJ found Georgia’s prisons violate the Eighth Amendment. Do you agree? What will you do about it?
2. Georgia spent $700 million more on corrections between FY2022 and FY2026. Every outcome got worse. What would you do differently?
3. Will you appoint Parole Board members who will increase parole grant rates from the current 4.5% for lifers?
4. Do you support independent oversight of GDC, including an inspector general with unannounced inspections?
5. Georgia’s correctional officer vacancy rate exceeds 50%, with 82.7% first-year turnover. How will you address this?
6. Do you support SB 25 (Parole Transparency Act)? Do you support presumptive parole for elderly prisoners (55+)?
7. What is your position on Truth in Sentencing reform, mandatory minimums, and earned time credits?
8. As governor, would you pursue a consent decree with the DOJ or resist federal oversight?

Legislation GPS Is Tracking

GPS tracks how every Georgia legislator votes on bills that affect incarcerated people and their families. These votes determine each legislator’s GPS Accountability Score.

How to Vote