Eight candidates running in long-delayed Georgia PSC election

The commission oversees utilities, including some gas and electric companies in Georgia; its biggest job is governing Georgia Power’s plans and rates. It was the PSC that voted to proceed with the construction of new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle in 2017 after bankruptcy of the lead contractor on the project, and the commission who approved two rate hikes to pay for Georgia Power’s share of the construction costs. In recent years, the commission has also approved three rate hikes, a bill increase to cover high natural gas costs, and the construction of new gas-power turbines to meet rising energy demand.

Two of the five seats on the Commission – districts 2 and 3, currently held by Republicans Tim Echols and Fitz Johnson – were due for an election in 2022. But a lawsuit delayed that election. A third seat, the district five post held by Tricia Pridemore, was due for an election last year, but that also didn’t happen because of the ongoing legal battle. In the meantime, all three have continued to serve and vote on the commission. Under Georgia law, the commissioners serve until the next commissioner is elected, so their terms have not legally expired.

Now, elections are resuming, beginning with districts 2 and 3. Both Echols and Johnson are running for reelection.

In district 2, Republican Lee Muns is challenging Echols for the party’s nomination. Democrat Alicia Johnson of Savannah is also running for that seat.

Four Democrats are vying for their party’s nomination in district 3: Daniel Blackman, Keisha Sean Waites, Peter Hubbard and Robert Jones. The winner of that primary will face incumbent Johnson in November.

The candidates have to live in their districts. That’s a swath of east and southeast Georgia that includes Athens, Augusta and Savannah for district 2; and the Metro Atlanta counties of Fulton, Dekalb and Clayton for district 3. But the elections are statewide, meaning voters throughout Georgia can vote in both races.

This election arrangement was the focus of the legal challenge, but a federal appeals court upheld it and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take the case.

The primaries are June 17, followed by a general election Nov. 4.

Under a state law passed last year, all the current commissioners’ terms have been extended. The next to face reelection will be Pridemore, whose district 5 seat will be up next year. Elections for the remaining two seats, currently held by Republicans Jason Shaw and Lauren “Bubba” McDonald, will be held in 2028.

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