Georgia voters will head to the polls in 2025 for a rare statewide election featuring contests for the Public Service Commission (PSC), the regulatory body that oversees rates and generation plans for Georgia Power and other utilities serving millions across the state.
Early voting is underway in Walker County and across Georgia, continuing through June 14 ahead of the June 17 primary election.
The PSC has been mostly under the radar, but rising utility bills have put the commission in the spotlight. Georgia Power customers have experienced six rate increases in recent years, driven by rising natural gas prices, costly construction projects—including two new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle—and other factors. Currently, a typical residential customer pays more than $175 a month, including taxes.
Four Democrats and two Republicans are competing in primaries scheduled for June 17. Voters must choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot in this primary.
The five-member commission, which is currently all Republican, also regulates some natural gas rates for Atlanta Gas Light and Liberty Gas. While all challengers are calling for change, incumbent Republican Tim Echols is defending his record.
District 2 and District 3 Races
The PSC races are organized by districts, but candidates run statewide. In District 2, Lee Muns of Harlem is challenging incumbent Tim Echols of Hoschton. Echols has served on the commission since 2011. The winner of the June primary will face Democrat Alicia Johnson in the November general election.
District 3 features a crowded Democratic primary with four candidates—Daniel Blackman, Peter Hubbard, Keisha Waites, and Robert Jones—competing to challenge Republican incumbent Fitz Johnson in November. If no candidate wins a majority, a runoff will be held July 15.
Why Are PSC Elections in 2025?
Georgia typically does not hold statewide elections in odd-numbered years. These elections were delayed due to a lawsuit challenging Georgia’s statewide voting scheme as discriminatory toward Black voters. No PSC elections were held in 2022 due to this legal battle.
Alicia Johnson, appointed to the PSC in 2021 by Gov. Brian Kemp, has not faced voters before. The District 3 winner will be able to run again in 2026 for a full six-year term, following changes lawmakers made to the election cycle. The District 2 winner will serve a five-year term, with the next election scheduled for 2030.
Candidate Eligibility Dispute
A notable development in the District 3 race involves Daniel Blackman, who was initially disqualified by Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger for not meeting the residency requirement in Fulton County. However, a judge allowed Blackman to remain on the ballot pending appeal. Blackman, who lost a previous PSC race in 2020 and served as a regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, maintains he is legally qualified and remains in the race.
Debate Over Rising Utility Bills
All candidates agree that utility bills are a critical issue, but they differ on solutions. Incumbent Echols highlights a three-year rate freeze agreed to with Georgia Power as a major accomplishment to protect consumers amid inflation.
In contrast, challengers argue the freeze does not go far enough. Daniel Blackman proposes extending the freeze to five years. Lee Muns advocates lowering the financial return Georgia Power earns on its investments—a factor that contributed to the company’s $2.5 billion profit last year.
Robert Jones criticizes the commission for insufficient scrutiny of Georgia Power’s finances, calling the rate freeze “atrocious.” Peter Hubbard, an advocate for green energy, suggests investing in solar power and battery storage instead of more natural gas plants.
Former state representative Keisha Waites, who admits she is not an energy expert, emphasizes the need for fairness in the cost consumers pay.
As the PSC races heat up, Georgians—including voters in Walker County—are encouraged to participate in early voting through June 14 or cast their ballots in the June 17 primary.