By Jill Nolin | Editor
“Everything has tripled in prices. They may say they’re doing (the war in Iran) for the long run, but people got to survive through it to get to that point, and it’s not feasible. So I do not vote the way that I did a couple of years ago.” - Michelle Hayes, a resident of Stephens County in northeast Georgia
A voter walks out of an early voting location at the DeKalb County Public Library in Ellenwood, Ga. on May 14, 2026. Alander Rocha/Georgia Recorder
2026 ELECTION
By Ross Williams, Maya Homan and Alander Rocha
Everything is more expensive these days, and Georgia voters across the state say the cost of living is shaping how they vote.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, grocery prices in April had climbed 2.9% since the same time last year. A pound of ground beef that would have cost you $6 a year ago would set you back $6.92 today, and that same pound of chuck would only cost $4.34 in April 2020.
Overall, the Consumer Price Index, a measure for the cost of consumer goods, has increased nearly 30% since April 2020.
Georgia’s commissioner of insurance oversees the state-run system for the Affordable Care Act exchange in Georgia, which is called Georgia Access. Ariel Hart/Georgia Recorder
2026 ELECTION
By Ariel Hart
No Georgia official is more directly tied to affordability than the state’s commissioner of insurance. And that job is on the ballot this year, starting with Tuesday’s primary.
The commissioner’s main job is to make sure Georgia insurance companies don’t charge policyholders too much for their coverage like health and auto policies. And that after the consumer pays their premiums, the companies cover what they’re supposed to.
The field to unseat the incumbent, Republican John King, is packed with five Democratic challengers. Those who answered questions for this story say King is not doing enough, and they’ll do more. On the Republican ballot, King stands unchallenged and points to his record of levying millions in fines to the companies.
From left, Bobby Mehan, Carolyn Roddy and Josh Tolbert, Republican candidates for Georgia’s Public Service Commission District 5 race, participate in the Loudermilk-Young Debate Series on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder
2026 ELECTION
By Emily Jones, WABE/Grist
Ten candidates are vying for two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission in the May 19 primary.
The commission oversees utilities, including telecommunications, natural gas and electricity – notably Georgia Power, the state’s largest electric utility. The commission has final say over how Georgia Power makes energy and what it charges customers. This gives commissioners substantial power over Georgians’ energy bills and the state’s climate future, because burning fossil fuels to make electricity is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.
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ICYMI FROM THE RECORDER
Advocates for gun safety measures cheer Georgia governor’s veto | Ross Williams
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