Three Democrats and three Republicans are competing in their party primaries in Georgia’s 10th Congressional District, one of a handful of open seats this year.
The incumbent, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, is running for U.S. Senate instead of seeking another term. Because the district leans heavily Republican, the candidates in that primary have drawn the most attention and each has pledged to follow in Collins’ footsteps and pledged loyalty to President Donald Trump.
Only one, however, has Trump’s endorsement.
Of the three Democratic candidates, only two are actively campaigning and neither has drawn the same level of fundraising dollars or attention as the Republican candidates. But they are hoping a blue wave in November can help them flip the seat.
Georgia’s 10th Congressional District includes counties in central Georgia just east of metro Atlanta, including the city of Athens.
Collins won reelection in 2024 with 63% of the vote.
Here are the candidates:
Democrats:
Pamela DeLancy:
Credit: Courtesy
Credit: Courtesy
DeLancy is a retired Army nurse colonel who now works as a registered nurse. Access to health care and services for veterans are key components of her platform.
Lexy Doherty:
Credit: Courtesy
Credit: Courtesy
An educational consultant by trade, she is also a former poll worker who has served on the Oconee Rivers Greenway Commission.
She unsuccessfully ran against Collins in 2024 and is back again this year, saying she wanted to ensure voters in the district had a choice in the general election.
John Dority
Dority has no website, did not report any fundraising activity to the Federal Election Commission and does not appear to be visible on the campaign trail.
Republicans:
Jeff Baker:
Credit: Courtesy
Credit: Courtesy
Baker owns a plumbing company in Wilkes County and is a member of the local union for trade workers.
Houston Gaines:
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
State Rep. Houston Gaines has the backing of Trump and other Republican Party leaders. . He also has a clear fundraising advantage headed into the primary.
He lives in Athens, where he was born and raised, and he works at an engineering firm.
Ryan Millsap:
Credit: Jenni Girtman for the AJC
Credit: Jenni Girtman for the AJC
A movie studio executive and real estate investor, Millsap has pledged to spend up to $4 million self-funding his campaign for Congress.
Millsap, who in the past has criticized of Trump and Republican priorities, said he had a change of heart after living through the COVID-19 pandemic and watching protests during the summer of 2020.
Millsap faced scrutiny in 2024 over racist and antisemitic sentiments he shared in text messages that surfaced in court filings. He apologized for “any and all pain my words have caused.”
About the Author
Keep Reading
The Latest
Featured
