Seth Clark of Macon enters Georgia lieutenant governor race as 2nd Democrat

Clark and state Sen. Josh McLaurin of Atlanta will face each other in a May 19 Democratic primary to succeed Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who is running for governor. Five Republicans have also filed for the seat.

Seth Clark, a former Macon-Bibb County commissioner who led a campaign to establish a national park along the Ocmulgee River, announced Monday that he would seek Georgia’s lieutenant governorship, becoming the second Democrat to enter the 2026 race for the office.

Clark, who resigned from the Macon-Bibb County Commission before launching his campaign, joins state Sen. Josh McLaurin of Atlanta in the Democratic field. The two will face each other in a May 19 primary to succeed Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who is running for governor.

Clark centered his announcement on economic concerns. “I’m running because the cost of living shouldn’t break working folks, especially not in a state as rich in talent and heart and possibility as Georgia,” he said in an announcement video.

He pointed to his record in Macon — including supporting tax cuts, strengthening public safety, and renewing infrastructure — as evidence of what he could accomplish statewide. Clark also said he would focus on public schools, affordable housing, child care, health care, and higher education.

Clark previously served as Macon’s mayor pro tem and as executive director of the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative, a group pushing to create a national park in middle Georgia and to protect natural lands along the Ocmulgee River.

Several state House Democrats endorsed Clark, including Rep. Stacey Evans of Atlanta and Rep. Tangie Herring of Macon.

McLaurin, responding to Clark’s entry into the race, said he welcomed the new candidate but characterized himself as “a proven fighter” who can cut through President Donald Trump’s “chaos to deliver real wins for working people.” McLaurin’s endorsements include Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones II of Augusta and Whip Kim Jackson of Stone Mountain.

Five Republicans have also filed for the seat: state Sens. Steve Gooch of Dahlonega, Greg Dolezal of Cumming, and Blake Tillery of Vidalia; former state Sen. John F. Kennedy of Macon; and state Rep. David Clark of Sugar Hill.