U.S. House of Representatives District 1 in Congressional District 1, Georgia

2026 Primary Election

• Brian Allen Montgomery — Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) in GA

  Lieutenant Colonel Brian Montgomery (Ret) is a combat veteran and Ranger qualified Infantry Officer, a West Point graduate who served in Iraq, Haiti, and Poland. He is running as a Republican for U.S. House in Georgia's 1st Congressional District in 2026. Montgomery champions conservative values, advocating for the sanctity of life, religious liberty, and parents' rights. He supports fiscal discipline, robust national security with consistent defense funding and strong support for military families and veterans. He also calls for tougher penalties on traffickers, stronger border enforcement against fentanyl, and increased local law enforcement support. Economically, he promotes cutting regulations, opening new markets, and aiding farmers.

• Eugene Chin Yu — Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in GA

  Eugene Chin Yu, a Republican, is running for the U.S. House in Georgia's 1st Congressional District in 2026. A conservative, his background includes service as a US Army Corporal, deputy sheriff, and firefighter, alongside experience as a business owner. He completed education at Butler High School, Augusta College, and Harvard Business School. Yu is the National President of the Federation of Korean American Association USA and holds memberships with Warren Baptist Church, the NRA, Gun Owners of America, and Georgia Carry. He has previously run for the U.S. Senate and multiple U.S. House districts. His policy priorities encompass strengthening support for first responders, expanding trade assistance, combating industrial espionage, ensuring quality healthcare, and developing transportation infrastructure, while also protecting citizen data.

• Jim Kingston — Insurance Broker in Savannah, GA, GA

  Jim Kingston, 35, is a Georgia native and conservative running for U.S. House District 1. The son of former Congressman Jack Kingston, he is an insurance broker and first-time candidate. Kingston champions term limits, reduced government spending, and opposing tax increases. He advocates for less regulation and increased competition in healthcare, aiming to fight Washington's "chaos" and federal red tape for Georgians. His platform emphasizes economic growth, affordability, and conservative leadership. He has secured endorsements from President Donald Trump and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He grew up in Savannah and currently lists a Chatham County home owned by his mother as his residence.

• Kandiss S Taylor — Candidate for U.s. House of Representatives in GA

  Kandiss Taylor is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House, representing Georgia's 1st Congressional District in the 2026 primary election. From Baxley, Georgia, she holds a PhD and worked as a student services coordinator, certified in teaching and school counseling. Taylor previously ran for Governor of Georgia in 2022 and U.S. Senate in 2020. Her platform centers on parental rights and core academics in education, securing the border, combating inflation, prioritizing American interests over foreign aid, and supporting veterans. She advocates for local businesses, agriculture, and national military readiness.

• Krista Penn — Healthcare executive and Navy veteran in Savannah, GA

  Krista Penn is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Georgia's 1st Congressional District. A Navy veteran, including service as a Navy nurse in Afghanistan, and a seasoned healthcare executive, she is dedicated to expanding healthcare access, advocating for veterans, and promoting small businesses. Her platform includes securing borders, defending constitutional freedoms, lowering healthcare costs by expanding telehealth and innovation, and fighting for energy independence. She has pledged to support term limits for Congress. Penn is running to restore trust, defend freedoms, and deliver results for Georgia’s 1st District.

• Pat Farrell — Incumbent Chatham County Commissioner - District 4 in GA

  Patrick "Pat" Farrell is a Republican candidate running for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Georgia's 1st Congressional District in the May 19, 2026, primary election. Currently serving as an Incumbent Chatham County Commissioner for District 4 until December 2028, Farrell is also a farmer and businessman. He identifies as a conservative fighting to put America first, emphasizing core values such as hard work, fair opportunity, respect for law enforcement, a strong national defense, and Second Amendment rights. His policy positions include being pro-life, securing the border through deportation and wall construction, protecting Georgia agriculture, advocating for constitutional carry of firearms, and cutting government spending to balance the budget.

• Amanda Hollowell — Chief of Campaigns at Color Of Change in Savannah, GA, GA

  Amanda Hollowell is a nationally recognized political strategist, organizer, and advocate, currently serving as Chief of Campaigns at Color Of Change, the nation's largest online racial justice organization. A California native, she earned her bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley and has built a career advancing voting rights, economic justice, and healthcare access. Her extensive experience includes directing national organizing efforts and community involvement with organizations like When We All Vote and the League of Women Voters. A devoted mother and caregiver to her veteran father, Hollowell is running for U.S. House to represent Georgia's 1st Congressional District to empower working families. Her platform prioritizes strong public education, good-paying jobs, affordable living, accessible healthcare, workers’ rights, and climate resilience, aiming to create a democracy that works for everyone.

• Defonsio Daniels — Owner and director, Semper Care & Learning LLC; Commissioner, Southeast Georgia Consolidated Housing Authority in GA

  Defonsio Daniels is a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking to represent Georgia's 1st Congressional District. Born in Gainesville, Florida, he served in the Marine Corps (2001-2007) and was a police officer. Daniels is the owner and director of Semper Care & Learning LLC, an early childhood education center, and a commissioner for the Southeast Georgia Consolidated Housing Authority. His affiliations include the VFW and former NAACP Housing Chairman. Daniels champions affordable housing, veterans' services, and working families in Coastal Georgia, aiming to bring new leadership to the district. He announced his candidacy on July 1, 2025.

• Joey Palimeno — Veterinary Technician in GA

  Joseph Palimeno is a Democratic candidate running for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Georgia's 1st Congressional District in the May 19, 2026 primary election. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Southern New Hampshire University and works as a Veterinary Technician. Palimeno is campaigning as a challenger for the U.S. House seat. He has previously sought this office, withdrawing from the Democratic primary for the same district in both the 2022 and 2024 election cycles. His campaign has reported no contributions to date for the 2026 election.

• Joyce Marie Griggs — Retired Lieutenant Colonel and Business Owner in Savannah, GA

  Joyce Marie Griggs, born in Bethel, North Carolina, is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel with 33 years of service as a Military Intelligence Officer, including three combat deployments to Iraq. She earned a Bronze Star, attended Airborne School, and served as a U.S. Embassy advisor. Griggs holds a B.A. in sociology, an M.A. in counseling from North Carolina Central University, and a law degree from John Marshall Law School. She is running for the U.S. House to represent Georgia's 1st Congressional District, driven by a desire to serve the disenfranchised and a belief in her ability as a trained leader to understand systems and achieve results. Her platform focuses on affordability, healthcare, military, education, environment, and families. She also has experience owning a business.

• Michael Mccord — Business consultant in Savannah, GA, GA

  Michael McCord is running as a Democrat for the U.S. House in Georgia's 1st Congressional District in 2026. A former assembly line worker and business consultant born in Anderson, South Carolina, he stresses "Common Sense & Practicality" and putting working people first. His policy positions include protecting pensions, raising wages, and funding rural hospitals while expanding telehealth. He advocates for a federal ban on price gouging, modernizing the electric grid, an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy, and banning stock trading for members of Congress. McCord is committed to delivering real solutions for veterans, farmers, and families across coastal Georgia.

• Patrick J Wilver — Small business owner in GA

  Patrick J. Wilver is a U.S. Army veteran and graduate of West Point, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 2013. He served in the Army from 2013 to 2019 and currently works as a small business owner. Wilver is running in the 2026 Democratic primary for Georgia's 1st Congressional District. He advocates for limiting emergency powers and protecting the Fourth Amendment, strengthening environmental safeguards for Georgia's coast, expanding national service opportunities, and ensuring tuition-free public college and trade schools. He also supports electoral reforms such as open primaries and ranked-choice voting to combat gerrymandering and break the two-party stronghold, aiming to fight corruption and empower voters.

• Randall Jay Zurcher — Candidate for U.s. House of Representatives in GA

  Randy Zurcher, a Democrat, is a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, aiming to represent Georgia's 1st Congressional District in the 2026 primary election on May 19. Born in Midwest City, Oklahoma, he holds a bachelor's degree from John Brown University. His diverse professional background includes roles as a local representative for the Savannah Federation of Teachers/PSRP, a licensed realtor, a transportation company branch manager, an insurance advisor, and a maintenance technician. Zurcher has also been affiliated with organizations like AFL/CIO, Sierra Club, and AARP. He officially announced his campaign for the seat previously held by Buddy Carter.

• Sharon Stokes Williamson — Candidate for U.s. House of Representatives in GA

  Sharon Stokes Williamson, a Democrat, is a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking to represent Georgia's 1st Congressional District in the 2026 primary election on May 19. Her platform emphasizes protecting access to women’s health and reproductive care, treating climate change as a public health threat, and advancing proven gun violence prevention strategies like universal background checks. She also advocates for strengthening healthcare through investments in global disease surveillance, expanding access to affordable coverage, and securing nutrition assistance programs for families, especially in rural and underserved communities across Coastal Georgia. Her campaign has reported contributions of $6,785 and expenditures of $6,462 for the 2026 election cycle.