"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
VOTER INFORMATION - May 21, 2026
2026 DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
VOTE ON OR BEFORE MAY 19, 2026
2026 PROPOSED DOUGHERTY COUNTY TAX INCREASE
MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE!
VOTE on May 19, 2026 - 7 am to 7 pm
2026 Democratic Candidates
Qualifications for County Commission and School Board Seats concluded on March 6, 2026. This is a list of the candidates who successfully qualified for the 2026 Democratic Primary Ballot.
Dougherty County Democratic Committee will host a Candidate Forum to help voters determine which candidates will earn your vote
Federal & State Candidates
You have a voice in the future of Georgia.
Use it!
VOTE!
CANDIDATE FORUMS
THURSDAY - APRIL 9, 2026
8:00 pm - 8 pm
All contested Democratic Candidates for the County Commission and School Board have been invited to participate.
No candidate signage will be permitted in the room.
Written questions will be accepted from the audience.
Light refreshments will be provided.
All are welcome!
THURSDAY - APRIL 9, 2026
8:00 pm - 8 pm
A Public Forum for candidates for the District #12 Georgia State Senate seat.
Senator Freddie Powell Sims resigned from this seat due to family illness on 3/24/2026. All three remaining Democratic Candidates have been invited.
No candidate signage will be permitted in the room.
Written questions will be accepted from the audience.
Dougherty County commission candidates
Lorenzo Heard
Anthony Patterson
Lorenzo Heard
Incumbent Candidate for County Commission Chair
Henry Mathis
Anthony Patterson
Lorenzo Heard
Candidate for County Commission Chair
Victor Edwards
Anthony Patterson
Anthony Patterson
Incumbent
Candidate for County Commissioner District 2
Anthony Patterson
Anthony Patterson
Anthony Patterson
Candidate for County Commissioner District 4
Al Wynn
Anthony Jones
Anthony Jones
Candidate for County Commissioner District 4
Anthony Jones
Anthony Jones
Anthony Jones
Candidate for County Commissioner District 6
Willie Martin
Anthony Jones
Willie Martin
Candidate for County Commissioner District 6
Dougherty County Board of education CAndidates
Norma Gaines-Heath
Norma Gaines-Heath
Norma Gaines-Heath
Incumbent
Candidate for Board of Education District 2
Melissa Strother
Norma Gaines-Heath
Norma Gaines-Heath
Incumbent
Candidate for Board of Education District 4
Adam Inyang
Norma Gaines-Heath
Dr. Dean Phinazee
Candidate for Board of Education District 4
Dr. Dean Phinazee
Norma Gaines-Heath
Dr. Dean Phinazee
Incumbent
Candidate for Board of Education District 6