Newsource reporters gathered information on each candidate in Northeast Georgia to prepare local voters for the midterm elections in this 2026 Election Guide.
Frank Ginn (incumbent)
Office Sought: Georgia State Senate District 47
Party: Republican
Occupation: State senator
Years in Community: Graduated UGA in 1985, been in office since 2010
Candidate’s Election Priorities
Grow jobs by creating a business friendly environment, promote tough ethics reform for legislators, improve transportation to attract industry, tourism and enhance our quality of life
More Info for Voters
Website: frankginn.com | Social Media: @senatorginn (Instagram), Frank Ginn (Facebook)
Candidate FAQs
Q: Why are you running?
“I believe local taxpayers should be empowered and not over-taxed. As your senator, I have been a defender of local taxpayers against an endless stream of state regulations,” he wrote on his website. “With my experience as a problem solver I will continue to look for innovative ways to help our state and local governments run with greater efficiency. I have the expertise, values and work ethic to improve our lives here at home.”
Q: What experiences have prepared you for this office?
He has served in the state senate since 2010. He previously worked as the city manager for the city of Royston, has served on the senate committees for natural resources and the environment; regulated industries and utilities; state and local government operations. and has served as vice chair of Senate committees on appropriations, rules and transportation and vice chair of the Senate Committee on MARTOC.
Q: What are the most important issues facing our community and what would you do to address them?
Issue #1: Protecting gun rights
Issue #2: Protecting local small businesses
“Out here in rural Georgia, you learn the value of hard work, stewardship, and faith in something bigger than yourself. Our farmers and rural families don’t ask for much — just fair policies, honest leadership, and the freedom to work the land they love,” he said in a Facebook post. “I’ll always stand for rural Georgia. It’s home.”
*Ginn did not respond to interview requests. Responses are from social media and his website.
Brenda Hankinson
Office Sought: Georgia State Senate District 47
Party: Democratic
Occupation: Nutrition specialist
Years in Community: Lifelong Georgian
Candidate’s Election Priorities
Funding strong public schools, affordable healthcare, lowering the cost of living, raising the minimum wage, food safety protections, eliminating corruption in government, statewide data center moratorium
More Info for Voters
Website: brendaforstatesenate.com | Social Media: @brendaforstatesenate (Instagram)
Candidate FAQs
Q: Why are you running?
Hankinson said on her website she believes Georgia should support working families.
“After careers in academia, agricultural extension work, and the pharmaceutical industry, I’m running because I believe working families deserve an economy that works for them — not just those at the top,” she said on her website.
She announced her candidacy in September after the previous candidate was convicted in a child cruelty case. She said on her website that she wants to fight corruption and make the state government work for all Georgians.
Q: What experiences have prepared you for this office?
Hankinson has worked in academia, agricultural extension and the pharmaceutical industry, She also earned a degree from the University of Georgia and has worked as a nutrition specialist.
Q: What are the most important issues facing our community and what would you do to address them?
Issue #1: Hankinson wants to strengthen public schools.
Issue #2: Hankinson wants to make health care more affordable.
Issue #3: Hankinson wants to lower the cost of living while raising minimum wage.
*Hankinson did not respond to an interview request. Responses are from her campaign website and social media.
