Republicans are one seat away from losing control of the Georgia Public Service Commission, turning a once-sleepy utility board into one of the state’s highest-stakes 2026 contests.
The five-member Public Service Commission (PSC) sets fair and reasonable rates for utilities under its jurisdiction and, in practice, sets rates for Georgia Power, the state’s only investor-owned electric utility.
Democrats Peter Hubbard and Alicia Johnson defeated Republican incumbents Fitz Johnson and Tim Echols in 2025, the first Democratic statewide wins for a state-level office in Georgia since 2006. Republicans kept a 3-2 majority, but that margin is now on the line.
Hubbard is defending the District 3 seat this year in a rematch with Fitz Johnson, who narrowly won the Republican primary over Brandon Martin by fewer than 3,000 votes.
The bigger danger for Republicans is District 5, where Republican Commissioner Tricia Pridemore is not seeking reelection. Josh Tolbert led the Republican primary with 47.16%, forcing a June 16 runoff with Bobby Mehan. The winner will face Democrat Shelia Edwards, who won her primary with 55.69%.
The fight is happening as Georgia Power faces new scrutiny over data centers and rising power demand. The PSC said Georgia Power’s projected need for new generation jumped from 400 megawatts in 2022 to 8,500 megawatts two years later, driven by data center growth.
If Democrats hold District 3 and flip District 5, they would take control of the board that helps decide what Georgia Power can charge customers.
