A general election will be held on May 19, 2026 in Columbus-Muscogee County, Georgia for mayor, Columbus City Council for odd-numbered districts, and Muscogee County School Board for even-numbered districts. The election is being held alongside other elections and primaries.

Mayor

Incumbent Mayor Skip Henderson is term-limited and unable to seek a third consecutive term.

Candidates

  • Isaiah Hugley, former city manager (2005-2025)[1]
  • Joanne Cogle, city councilmember (2023-present)[2]
  • Chris Breault, attorney[3]
  • Steve Kelly, Army veteran[4]
  • Jaketra Bryant, licensed counselor[5]
  • Mark LaJoye, retired Russell County, Alabama sheriff's deputy and perennial candidate for Muscogee County sheriff[6]

City Council

District 1

Incumbent Byron Hickey, who was appointed to replace Jerry "Pops" Barnes, is not running for a full term.

  • Simi Barnes, licensed counselor[7]
  • Karen Gaskins, former Columbus Police Department sergeant

District 3

Incumbent Bruce Huff is retiring.

  • Sherrie Aaron[8]
  • Jake Golden IV, teacher
  • Zack Lee, filmmaker

District 5

  • Charmaine Crabb (incumbent), real estate agent
  • Robert Wadkins Jr, attorney[9]

District 7

Incumbent Joanne Cogle is retiring to run for mayor.

  • Laketha Ashe
  • Chiara Richardson
  • Rebecca "Becca" Zajac, nonprofit manager[10]

At-Large District 9

Incumbent John Anker, who was appointed to replace Judy Thomas, is running for a full term.

  • John Anker (incumbent)[11]
  • Cathy Cooke, dentist[12]
  • Rocky Marsh, Army veteran and federal budget analyst
  • John Van Doorn

School Board

District 2

  • Nickie Tillery (incumbent)

District 4

  • Naomi Buckner (incumbent)

District 6

  • Mark Cantrell (incumbent)
  • Bob Roth[13]

District 8

  • Margot Schley (incumbent)
  • Joshua Smith

At-Large Member

  • Kia Chambers (incumbent)
  • Sadiyah Abdullah
  • Kevin Miller

References

  1. ↑ Gibson, Jessie (2025-10-13). "Former City Manager Isaiah Hugley officially announces run for Columbus mayor". wtvm.com. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  2. ↑ Gibson, Jessie (2025-08-01). "Columbus councilwoman announces intention to run for mayor". wtvm.com. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  3. ↑ Gibson, Jessie (2026-03-06). "Columbus attorney qualifies in mayoral race on last day". wtvm.com. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  4. ↑ "Kelly pays qualifying fee, enters Columbus mayor's race". wtvm.com. 2026-03-02. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  5. ↑ "Two more candidates secure spots in Columbus mayor's race". wtvm.com. 2026-03-04. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  6. ↑ Etherton, Daniel (2025-07-11). "Local army veteran files to run for Columbus mayor". wtvm.com. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  7. ↑ Brown, Justin (2026-02-19). "Simi Barnes announces campaign for Columbus City Council District One seat". wtvm.com. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  8. ↑ "Sherrie Aaron launches bid for Columbus City Council District 3". Couriernews. 2026-02-01. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  9. ↑ "Columbus attorney Robert Wadkins Jr., to challenge Councilor Charmaine Crabb for District 5 seat". WRBL. 2025-10-29. Archived from the original on 2025-10-29. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  10. ↑ "Dragonfly Trails director Becca Zajac files intent to run for District 7 Columbus Council seat". WRBL. 2025-12-04. Archived from the original on 2025-12-04. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  11. ↑ Brown, Justin (2026-01-30). "Councilman John Anker announced running for District 9 At-Large seat". wtvm.com. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  12. ↑ "Dr. Cathy Cook Announces Candidacy for Muscogee County District 9 At-Large Council Seat". Couriernews. 2025-07-18. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  13. ↑ "First candidate files for Muscogee County school board race". wtvm.com. 2026-02-11. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Columbus,_Georgia_mayoral_election