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A second Democrat has entered Georgia’s race for lieutenant governor, setting up a contested primary in the battle to succeed Republican Burt Jones, who is vacating the position to run for governor.
Seth Clark, who recently stepped down from his position on the Macon-Bibb County Commission, announced his candidacy Monday. Clark, who served as Macon’s mayor pro tem, will face state Sen. Josh McLaurin of Atlanta in the Democratic primary scheduled for May 19.
“I’m running because the cost of living shouldn’t break working folks, especially not in a state as rich in talent and heart and possibility as Georgia,” Clark said in his announcement video, highlighting affordability as a central campaign issue.
Clark brings local government experience to the race, having also served as executive director of the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative. This conservation group has advocated for creating a national park in middle Georgia and protecting natural lands along the Ocmulgee River, giving Clark environmental credentials that could appeal to certain Democratic voters.
In his campaign launch, Clark emphasized his record in Macon, pointing to his support for tax cuts, public safety enhancements, and infrastructure renewal as evidence of his leadership capabilities. He outlined a platform focusing on strengthening public education, expanding affordable housing, improving access to child care and health care, and making higher education more accessible.
Several prominent state House Democrats have already thrown their support behind Clark, including Rep. Stacey Evans of Atlanta and Rep. Tangie Herring of Macon, giving him early endorsements that could bolster his primary campaign.
McLaurin, who welcomed Clark to the race, positioned himself as “a proven fighter” capable of cutting through what he characterized as President Donald Trump’s “chaos to deliver real wins for working people.” The state senator enters the race with support from key Democratic Senate leadership, including Minority Leader Harold Jones II of Augusta and Whip Kim Jackson of Stone Mountain.
The lieutenant governor’s race has drawn significant interest from both parties, with five Republicans also vying for the position. The Republican field includes several state legislators: Sens. Steve Gooch of Dahlonega, Greg Dolezal of Cumming, and Blake Tillery of Vidalia, along with former state Sen. John F. Kennedy of Macon and state Rep. David Clark of Sugar Hill.
The crowded Republican primary reflects the importance of the lieutenant governor position in Georgia politics. The role carries significant power as the president of the state Senate, allowing the officeholder to influence which legislation moves forward and which committee assignments senators receive.
Georgia’s shifting political landscape makes this race particularly noteworthy. Once a reliable Republican stronghold, Georgia has become more competitive in recent elections, with Democrats winning both U.S. Senate seats and the state’s electoral votes going to President Biden in 2020. The lieutenant governor’s race will serve as another test of whether Democrats can continue making inroads in statewide offices.
The eventual Democratic nominee will face considerable challenges in the general election, as Republicans have maintained control of the lieutenant governor’s office since 2010. However, changing demographics and increasing political engagement, particularly in Atlanta’s suburbs, have given Democrats hope of competitive statewide races.
The primary campaigns are expected to intensify in the coming months as both Clark and McLaurin work to distinguish themselves to Democratic voters ahead of the May contest.
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8 Comments
It’s encouraging to see Democrats fielding a diverse slate of candidates for statewide offices in Georgia. The lieutenant governor race will be an important one to watch as the state continues to be a political battleground.
Cost of living and affordability seem to be central themes for Clark’s campaign. These are certainly pressing issues for many Georgians, so it will be interesting to see how his policy proposals compare to other candidates.
A contested Democratic primary for lieutenant governor in Georgia should make for a lively campaign season. It will be informative to see how the candidates differentiate themselves and appeal to voters in this important statewide race.
The cost of living is certainly a major issue facing many Georgians. It will be interesting to see how Clark’s proposed solutions compare to other candidates. Protecting natural lands along the Ocmulgee River also sounds like an important environmental priority.
Agreed, the cost of living and environmental conservation seem like key focus areas for Clark’s campaign. I’ll be interested to see how he positions himself on these issues compared to his primary rival and the eventual Republican nominee.
The Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative sounds like an intriguing environmental project that Clark has been involved with. I wonder how his work on that effort might influence his broader policy platform if elected.
Good point. Clark’s environmental credentials from his conservation work could set him apart from other candidates and appeal to certain Democratic voters in Georgia.
Interesting to see a Democrat enter the race for Georgia’s lieutenant governor. Local government experience and an environmental focus could make for a compelling candidate. I’ll be curious to learn more about Clark’s platform and how it differs from his primary opponent.