Newsource reporters gathered information on each candidate in Northeast Georgia to prepare local voters for the midterm elections in this 2026 Election Guide. 

Eric Gisler

Office Sought: Georgia House of Representatives District 121 (incumbent)

Party: Democrat

Occupation: Director and group product manager, integration and data platforms, Assurified; Owner, Olive Basket

Years in Community: More than 20 years 

Candidate’s Election Priorities

Healthcare, public school funding, cost of living

More Info for Voters

Website: ericgisler.com | Social media: @emgisler (Instagram), @ericgisler (TikTok),  @ericgisler9695 (YouTube)    

Candidate FAQs

Q: Why are you running?

Gisler said in an interview he’s running for office to redirect attention from the wealthy corporations back to the people.

“The same party has been controlling the state for 22 years. And while the wealthy corporations have done well in that time. A lot of other folks have been suffering,” Gisler said. “We’re trying to return power to the people”

Q: What experiences have prepared you for this office? 

“My background is in the private sector, IT, Fortune 500 companies and I think having that kind of background really trained me to make decisions based on data and evidence,” Gisler said. “That background helps me be logical and focus on issues like cost of living and preserving our democracy rather than the soundbite of the week.”

Q: What are the most important issues facing our community and what would you do to address them?

Issue #1: Expand healthcare access

He said he would address it with a public option on the state exchange, a state version of Medicare 4 All and a free market option.

Issue #2: Lower the cost of living 

He said he would make protections that will force data centers to pay for the price increase they cause.

Issue #3: Decrease property taxes

He said public school funding is typically split between local property tax and state funding. As state funding decreases, the burden shifts to property tax causing increases. The goal is to restore the balance and lower property taxes by making the state pay its share, he said.

Q: What is one accomplishment you hope to achieve during your office if elected? 

Gisler said his win would be a massive achievement given the gerrymandering of the district. He hopes to use that moment to fuel an independent redistricting commission.

“This win would really signal to everyone that gerrymandering only goes so far,” Gisler said. “I think that really gives me a platform to be able to push for an independent redistricting commission.”

Q: What is one thing you want voters to know about you? What is your message to younger voters, such as UGA students?  

Gisler said his message to voters is one of nonpartisanship. He hopes to reach voters across party lines and hopes they will see him beyond the “D next to his name.”

“The politics you’ve grown up with isn’t the way it should be. I’m not focused on fighting partisan battles,” he said. “I’m really focused on the things that matter to people and affect their lives.”

Mack “Dutch” Guest IV 

Office Sought: Georgia House of Representatives District 121

Party: Republican

Occupation: Executive vice president, business development, LAD Truck Lines, a family business based in Watkinsville, Georgia

Years in Community: More than 20 years

Candidate’s Election Priorities

Public education, public safety, mental health & homelessness, affordability, property taxes, transportation, higher education, farmers and agriculture, business and workforce, addressing poverty 

More Info for Voters

Website: electdutch.com | Social Media: @electdutch (Facebook) 

 Candidate FAQs

Q: Why are you running?

“I ran in a special election back in December when our representative at that time had stepped out, and we felt called that we needed somebody that wants to bring people together and have some common sense to jump in,” he said at a Sept. 16 Town Hall Meeting. “Came up a little bit short, but we’re looking forward to this next election in November, and we’re ready to go again.” 

Q: What experiences have prepared you for this office? 

He said at the town hall meeting that he grew coming to Clarke and Oconee counties, his family’s trucking business has been based in Watkinsville for more than 20 years, and he has two kids in area schools. “There’s two clear different communities in Clarke and Oconee. And I feel like in the past, maybe both of them haven’t been represented as well,” he said at the Sept. 16 Town Hall Meeting.

Q: What are the most important issues facing our community and what would you do to address them? 

Issue #1: Transportation

 “I have been in the transportation and logistics business all my adult life. This is an issue I am passionate about. House District 121 and neighboring counties are undergoing tremendous change when it comes to our highways, roads and bridges,” he said on his website. “As you may know, 441 is a direct road through the district from the Port of Savannah and Highway 316 is becoming a limited-access highway. There are also plans for a truck bypass in outer Watkinsville. The bottom line is this, we need transportation infrastructure that is safe and efficient for all our citizens, I will champion this issue in the General Assembly.” 

Issue #2: Homelessness and Mental Health 

Law enforcement spends a significant portion of time responding to mental health-related calls,”  he said on his website. “We need to equip and fund agencies with proper training, facilities, and processes that connect people with real help and long-term rehabilitation.”

Issue #3: Public Safety – Guest shared on his campaign website that he is proud to be endorsed by James Hale, the Oconee County sheriff, who agrees that community safety and its importance should never be a partisan debate. 

“Law enforcement officers, deputies, and first responders put their lives on the line every day. The state must ensure funding is directed to the agencies that are doing the work on the ground,” Guest said on his website. “That includes ensuring schools have properly trained resource officers and that public safety agencies are communicating and coordinating effectively.” 

Q: What is one accomplishment you hope to achieve during your office if elected? 

Guest has said the continued improvements to S.R. 316 are a priority as well as roundabouts at busy intersections.

Q: What is one thing you want voters to know about you? 

His campaign highlights his personal motto: “Leave things better than you found them,” which he connects to strengthening the community for the next generation.

*Guest did not respond to interview requests. Responses pulled from his website and a video from a September town hall meeting.