Columbus voters heading to the polls November 3 will help decide who represents the region in the Georgia General Assembly, including five state House districts and an open state Senate seat that has been held by the same lawmaker for more than three decades. The candidates include longtime incumbents, first-time challengers and current officeholders seeking different positions. Early voting is already underway and continues through October 30.

The Georgia General Assembly makes decisions affecting public education, transportation, healthcare, taxes, criminal justice and state spending. State lawmakers also consider legislation that determines how much authority local governments have over certain policies. For Columbus residents, the election determines who will represent their communities when the legislature returns to Atlanta in 2027.

Muscogee County is divided among Georgia House Districts 137, 138, 139, 140 and 141, along with Senate Districts 15 and 29. Every voter will see one state House race and one state Senate race, depending on their residential address. The following guide identifies the candidates in each contest without endorsing or favoring either political party.

Georgia Senate District 15: Teddy Reese vs. Chuck Hand

Candidates:

• Tremaine “Teddy” Reese — Democrat
• Chuck Hand — Republican

One of the most significant changes in Columbus-area legislative representation involves Senate District 15, where longtime Democratic Sen. Ed Harbison is retiring after more than 30 years in office. The district covers most of Muscogee County and all of Chattahoochee, Macon, Marion, Schley, Talbot and Taylor counties. The election will determine who succeeds Harbison and represents the district for the next two-year term.

Tremaine “Teddy” Reese currently serves in the Georgia House representing District 140. Reese is an attorney and owner of The Reese Firm in Columbus, with previous experience in community engagement and legal advocacy. He won the Democratic nomination after competing against Edward D. Harbison and Alyssa Nia Williams in the May primary.

Chuck Hand is the Republican nominee and a construction worker from Taylor County. Born in Columbus, Hand has worked in the construction industry and participated in political campaigns before seeking the Senate seat. In published candidate interviews, he identified economic development, reducing residents’ tax burdens and community safety among his priorities.

The candidates bring different professional backgrounds to the contest, with Reese having experience as a state legislator and Hand coming from the construction industry. Reese has emphasized public policy and community issues, while Hand has highlighted economic development and taxes in published interviews. Voters can review their statements and public records to learn more about their positions on specific legislation.

Georgia House District 137: Debbie Buckner

Candidate:

* Debbie Buckner — Democrat, incumbent

Democratic Rep. Debbie Buckner is seeking another term representing House District 137, which includes portions of the Columbus region and surrounding communities. Buckner has served in the Georgia House since 2002 and previously worked in public health and community relations. Her legislative interests have included healthcare, environmental protection and issues affecting rural communities.

Buckner is the only candidate whose name appears on the regular ballot for District 137. However, Stephen Acorn has filed as a write-in candidate, meaning the race is not entirely without opposition. Voters should distinguish between candidates whose names are printed on the ballot and qualified write-in candidates when reviewing this contest.

Georgia House District 138: Vance Smith vs. Cyndie Hutchings

Candidates:

• Vance Smith — Republican, incumbent
• Cyndie Hutchings — Democrat

Republican Rep. Vance Smith is seeking reelection in House District 138 against Democratic challenger Cyndie Hutchings. The district includes portions of Muscogee, Harris and Troup counties, making it one of the legislative districts connecting Columbus with communities farther north. Residents in the district will choose between an incumbent legislator and a challenger seeking election to the Georgia House.

Smith has served in the state legislature and previously held public office in Georgia. Hutchings is the Democratic nominee challenging him in the November election. Voters interested in comparing their positions can examine campaign materials and legislative records, particularly regarding transportation, education funding and state tax policy.

Georgia House District 139: Carmen Rice vs. Elliot Valdez

Candidates:

• Carmen Rice — Republican, incumbent
• Elliot Valdez — Democrat

Republican Rep. Carmen Rice is running for another term in House District 139, which includes portions of Muscogee and Harris counties. Rice entered the Georgia House following the death of longtime Republican legislator Richard Smith in 2024. The district includes communities that have experienced residential and commercial development as the Columbus area has expanded.

Democrat Elliot Valdez is challenging Rice in the November election. The contest gives voters a choice between the sitting representative and a new candidate seeking the office. Among the responsibilities of whoever wins will be voting on legislation involving public education, transportation infrastructure, economic development and the state budget.

Georgia House District 140: Marquese Averett vs. Edward Kvietkus Jr.

Candidates:

• Marquese “Skinny” Averett — Democrat
• Edward Kvietkus Jr. — Republican

House District 140 is another open seat because current Democratic Rep. Teddy Reese is running for Senate District 15 rather than seeking reelection to the House. The election will bring a new representative to a district that includes portions of Columbus. Neither candidate is running as the incumbent.

Marquese “Skinny” Averett is a Columbus community activist who previously considered running for Columbus City Council before entering the House race. In published campaign coverage, Averett has discussed expanding early childhood education, improving infrastructure and addressing healthcare access. His candidacy centers on issues affecting communities within the district.

Edward Kvietkus Jr. is a pastor at Rose Hill Baptist Church in Columbus and is making his first run for public office. His professional background is in religious and community leadership rather than service in the state legislature. Voters can examine public statements from both candidates to compare their priorities for education, infrastructure, healthcare and other state responsibilities.

Georgia House District 141: Carolyn Hugley vs. Regina Liparoto

Candidates:

• Carolyn Hugley — Democrat, incumbent
• Regina Liparoto — Republican

Democratic Rep. Carolyn Hugley is seeking reelection in District 141 against Republican Regina Liparoto. Hugley has represented Columbus in the Georgia House for decades and currently serves as the House Democratic leader. Her leadership position involves coordinating legislative activity for members of her party while continuing to represent her district.

Liparoto is the Republican nominee challenging Hugley in November. The election will determine whether District 141 retains its current representative or elects someone new. Whoever wins will participate in decisions involving Georgia’s budget, education system, healthcare programs and other legislation affecting Columbus residents.

North Columbus Voters May Have a Different Senate Race

Not every Columbus voter lives in Senate District 15. Portions of northern Columbus belong to Senate District 29, which also includes Harris, Meriwether and Troup counties. Republican incumbent Randy Robertson is seeking reelection against Democratic challenger Jeff Lowe.

Robertson has served in the Georgia Senate since 2018 and represents a district extending beyond Muscogee County. Lowe is the Democratic nominee seeking to represent the same district. Residents should verify their Senate district before reviewing candidates or making plans to vote.

Why These State Legislative Races Matter

Georgia’s 180-member House and 56-member Senate share responsibility for passing state laws and approving the state budget. Their decisions affect how Georgia funds public schools, transportation projects, universities, healthcare programs and public safety agencies. State lawmakers can also propose constitutional amendments that ultimately require voter approval.

The decisions can have direct consequences for Columbus and neighboring communities. State funding helps support schools, road improvements and other public services, while legislation can affect local governments, businesses and property owners. Representatives also introduce and consider bills addressing issues raised by their constituents.

How to Find Your District and Vote

Early voting for the November 3 general election began October 13 and continues through October 30. Muscogee County has five approved early voting locations, and voters may use any designated early voting site within their county during its operating hours. Election Day voting takes place November 3, when voters must report to their assigned precinct between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Residents can confirm their registration status, legislative districts, sample ballot and Election Day polling location through the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page at mvp.sos.ga.gov. Checking the sample ballot is particularly important because the candidates appearing on it depend on where each voter lives. Voters can also contact Muscogee County Elections and Registration at 706-653-4392 for assistance.

The November election will determine who represents Columbus in Atlanta for the next two years. With an open Senate seat, another open House seat and several incumbents seeking reelection, voters will have an opportunity to review candidates with different backgrounds and legislative experience. Columbus Times encourages residents to examine candidate statements, public records and official election information before casting their ballots.

Editor’s note: Columbus Times does not endorse political candidates or parties. This article is intended to provide factual, nonpartisan information about the November 3, 2026, general election. Candidate information reflects publicly available election records and reporting as of October 18, 2026.