Georgia — one of the original thirteen colonies and, long before that, home to Indigenous nations including the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and the Lower Muscogee Creek Tribe — has been shaped by a complex and consequential past.
The state’s history spans the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement and a political lineage that includes 83 official governors. Republicans have held the governor’s office for many years, with Roy Barnes serving as the most recent Democratic governor, elected in 1999.
Currently, there are 16 candidates vying to become Georgia’s next chief executive. The state’s primary election is set for May 19, and the general election will follow on November 3, 2026.
As part of the “Their Voice, Your Vote” gubernatorial candidate series, “Closer Look” host Rose Scott has invited all of the candidates to participate in one‑on‑one interviews. On Wednesday, Scott talked with Democratic candidate Olu Brown.
The small business owner and faith leader, who founded and formerly served as the lead pastor of Impact United Methodist Church in East Point, said this when asked about some of his top budget priorities:
”So for me, we’ve got a $14 billion surplus,” Brown explained. “We have more than our rainy-day fund and as a small business owner, I’m a fiscal conservative. So, I believe in protecting assets. I believe in saving money, but I believe Georgia is saving more than we need to. And whenever we have this amount in surplus, it means there are Georgians who are paying their taxes, contributing to our surplus, who aren’t getting a benefit for their citizenship, and that’s a moral failure.”
Brown on teacher pay: “Under my administration, we’re gonna start baseline,” said Brown. “First time teacher compensation at $50,000 plus, and we’re going to offer an incentive for veteran teachers who have been teaching five years or more. We’re going to eliminate their state income tax, and that will give them an immediate pay raise of close to $5,000.”
Brown also said this about reproductive rights and Georgia’s abortion ban: “ So as governor, I wanna be clear,” he said. “I will work to repeal our heartbeat law. I think it is too extreme. I don’t believe anyone under the gold dome should be making decisions for women’s bodies. I’m fortunate to have two daughters. They’re both 21 years old and as their father, they do things that we don’t always agree with, but I don’t have a right to make a decision about their body or their choices.”
