8 candidates raise their hands to be Georgia’s school superintendent

Five Republicans and three Democrats have qualified to run in the May 19 primary election for state school superintendent.

Incumbent Richard Woods is vying for his fourth term in office. He’ll face Republican challengers Fred “Bubba” Longgrear, former state Rep. Mesha Mainor, Nelva Lee and Randell Trammell in the primary.

On the Democratic side, Otha Thornton is taking another shot at becoming the state’s top educator. Thornton, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, won the Democratic nomination in 2018 but lost to Woods in the general election. He’ll face Hancock County Schools Superintendent Anton Anthony and Lydia Powell, an assistant principal at Hampton High School in Henry County.

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Here’s a breakdown of the candidates:

Republicans

Nelva Lee

Credit: Contributed

Credit: Contributed

She has a Ph.D. in health administration and was the CEO of a vocational school for 20 years, according to her campaign website. Her platform includes expanding workforce training, better preparing students for college and expanding Georgia’s most recent school voucher program.

Money raised: $2,670.09, cash on hand: $0

Fred “Bubba” Longgrear

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He’s served as the superintendent of the Candler County School District in Metter for the last 11 years. He’s the president of the Georgia School Superintendents Association. Longgrear’s campaign website says he’s running for state superintendent because he “believes Georgia public schools are facing a leadership crisis.”

Money raised: $239,188.96, cash on hand: $188,200.81

Mesha Mainor

Credit: Hand

A former state representative from Atlanta who left the Democratic Party in 2023 and became a Republican. Her vote in support of a school voucher bill caused friction in the Democratic caucus.

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Her campaign website says she founded a language immersion school and a program to help disadvantaged children develop professional skills. The site notes she’s running for superintendent because “she believes every child deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of their background or zip code.”

Money raised: $9,327.00, cash on hand: $3,486.58

Randell Trammell

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He founded the Georgia Center for Civic Engagement, a nonprofit focused on expanding civics education. Trammell holds an undergraduate degree and MBA from Reinhardt University and a doctorate in education from Northeastern University. His campaign website says he’s “deeply passionate about the power of education to transform lives and communities.”

Money raised: $98,418.55, cash on hand: $64,534.88

Richard Woods (incumbent)

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A former high school teacher and school principal, Woods has served three terms as superintendent. During his 12-year tenure, he has supported the Legislature’s efforts to revamp literacy instruction and created a task force to examine teacher burnout. He was also outspoken about reducing the number of standardized tests Georgia students should be required to take and championed legislation that pared back testing in schools.

Money raised: $18,790.00, cash on hand: $75,047.34

Democrats

Anton Anthony

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Current superintendent of Hancock County Schools in Sparta. His campaign website says he wants to “fix broken systems, spark innovation, and prepare every Georgia student to thrive.” The site says Anthony’s vision is “future-ready graduates who can innovate, lead, and create jobs right here in Georgia.”

Money raised: $0 cash on hand: $0

Lydia Powell

Credit: Contri

Current assistant principal at Hampton High School in Henry County. Her campaign website says she has 26 years of education experience, including 11 years in educational leadership. Her platform includes expanding access to early learning, increasing support for teachers, including mental health services, and strengthening rural communities.

Money raised: $1,035.00, cash on hand: $811.12

Otha Thornton

Credit: Contributed

A retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, Thornton taught at the college level and in K-12 schools and is a former National PTA president. He was the 2018 Democratic nominee for state superintendent but lost to Woods. Thornton’s campaign website says he’s “the only candidate who is both a current educator and a seasoned executive leader who knows how to manage a multibillion-dollar system (due to his time at the PTA).”

Money raised: $11,647.00, cash on hand: $1,811.45

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