Georgia GOP Primary for State School Superintendent Features Incumbent vs. Change
Early voting underway as Georgia GOP picks between incumbent Richard Woods and challenger Fred “Bubba” Longgrear for state school superintendent in May 19 primary.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA — Early voting is underway for Georgia’s Republican primary election on May 19, where incumbent State Superintendent Richard Woods faces a challenge from Fred “Bubba” Longgrear and three other candidates in the race for the state’s top education post.
Longgrear, president of the Georgia School Superintendents Association with 30 years of education experience, has positioned himself as the candidate who can bring change through strong relationships and accessibility to stakeholders across the state.
“I think the biggest thing is accessibility, relationships and being willing to listen to stakeholders, be it superintendents, teachers, students or families and find out what the biggest challenges are and let’s all pull in the same direction to accomplish the goals,” Longgrear said in a phone interview.
Longgrear’s Education Platform
The challenger outlined three primary areas of focus for Georgia’s public schools. His priorities include helping local districts address student discipline issues, improving elementary school literacy rates, and expanding career and technical education opportunities for high school graduates alongside traditional college preparation.
Longgrear emphasized his experience working with legislative leaders and his commitment to advocating for local school districts at the state level. “Things get done through strong relationships,” he said. “And I feel like as a constitutional officer, you need to make yourself available to all leaders throughout the state to advocate for and ensure that we’re doing everything we can in public education to provide the best service to our families and students.”
Major Legislative Endorsements
Longgrear has secured endorsements from prominent Republican education leaders in the Georgia General Assembly. His list of supporters includes House Speaker Jon Burns, Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte, Senate Education Chairman Sen. Billy Hickman, House Education Chair Rep. Chris Erwin, and Senate Higher Education Chairman Sen. Max Burns.
“Georgia deserves a State Superintendent who shows up to advocate for education and delivers on promises,” Burns said in a statement supporting Longgrear’s candidacy.
The candidate attributed these high-profile endorsements to his regular presence at the Georgia Capitol, where he has worked to build relationships with lawmakers while advocating for local school districts throughout his career.
Five-Way Republican Race
Longgrear faces incumbent Richard Woods and three other Republican candidates in the primary contest. He argued that his three decades of education experience and collaborative approach set him apart from the field.
The winner of the Republican primary will advance to the general election in November. Early voting continues through May 16, with Election Day scheduled for May 19.
Georgia’s state superintendent serves as a constitutional officer overseeing the state’s public education system and working with the State Board of Education to implement education policy across the state’s school districts.
