Three Black Candidates Run for Georgia Secretary of State

Three Black candidates have entered the race for the position of Georgia Secretary of State. This historic contest could change the state’s political scene and possibly break a barrier that has existed since the office was established nearly 250 years ago.

The candidates, Penny Brown Reynolds, Adrian Consonery Jr., and Kelvin King, are running to become the first Black person elected as Georgia’s Secretary of State. This position oversees elections, business registrations, and professional licensing.

The contest is part of the larger 2026 election cycle in Georgia. Party primaries are scheduled for May 19, 2026, and the general election will take place on November 3, 2026.

A Historic Opportunity

The Secretary of State position has been in Georgia since 1777, but no Black candidate has ever been elected to it.

This history motivates several candidates in the race. According to reports, Reynolds, a former judge and pastor who served as executive counsel to former governor Roy Barnes, stated that her campaign offers experience and a chance to make history.

“Georgia is ready for this Black woman. I was born for this,” Reynolds said while discussing her candidacy.

This opportunity arises as current Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger chose not to run for reelection. Instead, he is campaigning for governor, leaving the office open for the first time since 2019.

The Candidates

Penny Brown Reynolds

Reynolds, a Democrat, is likely the most recognized of the three candidates. She has served as a Fulton County Superior Court judge, pastor, author, and television personality. Reynolds is known for her role on the courtroom show Judge Penny.

She also served as executive counsel to the governor, making her the first Black American to hold that position in Georgia’s executive branch.

Reynolds argues that the Secretary of State’s office is crucial for protecting elections and promoting economic opportunity through business regulation.

Adrian Consonery Jr.

Consonery, a voting rights advocate and community organizer, is also seeking the Democratic nomination. He focuses on expanding voter access and improving election transparency.

His campaign targets younger voters and communities that have faced barriers to political participation.

Kelvin King

On the Republican side, King, a U.S. Air Force veteran and construction company owner, is focusing on election integrity and conservative policies.

King previously ran for the U.S. Senate in Georgia and presents himself as a business-oriented candidate who aims to boost public confidence in elections.

A Competitive Election Cycle

This race is happening during Georgia’s 2026 statewide election cycle. This includes prominent contests for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. Candidate qualifying for the primaries began in early March and runs through March 6.

While multiple candidates from both major parties are competing for the office, the three Black candidates have drawn notable attention due to the historic nature of the election.

Political analysts say these candidacies show the changing demographics and political dynamics of Georgia, a state that has become a key battleground in U.S. politics.

Breaking a Longstanding Barrier

Georgia has elected a few Black officials to statewide executive offices. However, progress has been made in recent years. In 2025, Alicia Johnson became the first Black woman elected to a statewide executive office in the state when she won a seat on the Public Service Commission.

The Secretary of State race presents another chance to increase that representation.

Whether this breakthrough happens will depend on the results of the primaries and the general election later this year. For now, the presence of Reynolds, Consonery, and King ensures that the 2026 contest will be remembered as a significant moment in Georgia’s political history.

As voters prepare to head to the polls, one question hangs over the election: Will Georgia elect its first Black Secretary of State?