A 3-term incumbent faces a political newcomer in the school superintendent race

Two former social studies teachers will vie to become the state’s top educator in November’s general election.

Incumbent Richard Woods secured the Republican nomination but only after being forced into a June runoff. He is seeking a fourth term. Democrat Lydia Powell won the Democratic nod in the May primary.

The state school superintendent administers funds to school districts, implements statewide policies and negotiates with state lawmakers about K-12 legislation. During the 2026 legislative session, lawmakers passed a comprehensive literacy bill. Whoever wins the seat in November will oversee the law’s implementation.

Here’s a look at the candidates.

Democrat

Lydia Powell

Credit: Contri

Credit: Contri

Powell is a former social studies teacher who has spent 26 years as an educator in DeKalb, Clayton, Fayette and Henry counties. She’s currently an assistant principal at Henry County’s Hampton High, a job she plans to keep while campaigning this fall.

During the 2025-26 school year, Powell said she would sometimes take a half-day off and drive three or four hours across the state to meet voters.

“My platform is partly about rural Georgia, and they don’t see us enough, so I have to go there,” she said.

Powell defeated two opponents in the May 19 primary and did particularly well in rural areas of the state like Colquitt, Columbia and Dade counties. She’s running partly on the promise of change, assuring educators that they’ll have a seat at the table.

“My No. 1 priority is that people’s voices are heard,” she said.

Republican

Richard Woods — Incumbent

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Woods, the Republican incumbent, has held the post for 12 years. He’s a former Irwin County social studies teacher, administrator and principal. He’s running on his record in office, touting improved high school graduation rates and growing programs like career technical education.

Critics have complained that test scores have lagged under Woods’ leadership, with just 35% of the state’s third graders achieving grade-level proficiency in English/Language Arts and 44% in math. Some lawmakers expressed frustration with what they described as a lack of engagement from Woods while they were drafting a K-12 literacy bill backed by House Speaker Jon Burns.

Woods pushed back against those allegations during a June 1 Atlanta Press Club debate.

“I will continue to work with our legislators … as I did this year,” he said. “I did meet with the (House) Speaker’s chief of staff to address literacy, and also met with the Lieutenant Governor and his staff to address literacy.”

Some legislators backed Woods’ opponent in the June 16 primary runoff, Candler County Superintendent Fred “Bubba” Longgrear. Woods edged past Longgrear, garnering 52% of the vote.