Newsource reporters gathered information on each candidate in Northeast Georgia to prepare local voters for the midterm elections in this 2026 Election Guide.
Ward Black
Office Sought: Georgia State House District 120
Party: Republican
Occupation: Business owner, farmer
Years in Community: Lifelong resident of Jackson County
Candidate’s Election Priorities
Strong education, investing in roads that move Georgia, supporting law enforcement
More Info for Voters
Website: votewardblack.com | Social Media: @votewardblack (Facebook), Ward Black (LinkedIn)
Candidate FAQs
Q: Why are you running?
A: “I’ll fight to lower taxes, secure our elections and empower law enforcement to hold criminals accountable,” Black said in a video on his Facebook page.
Q: What experiences have prepared you for this office?
A: Black grew up in Jackson County and has been in the agriculture business for over 15 years, according to his website. Black received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural economics from the University of Georgia. He serves on the Georgia Green Industry Association Board and the AgGeorgia Farm Credit Stockholder Advisory Council, with a leadership role in the American Farm Bureau Federation, as noted on the GA Files website.
Q: What are the most important issues facing our community and what would you do to address them?
Issue #1: Childhood literacy. Black emphasizes investing more resources in identifying students with learning disorders earlier, so children are set up for success, according to his website. He wants to help give current teachers the necessary resources and make sure future teachers are prepared to teach the next generation of students.
Issue #2: Strategic infrastructure investments. Black believes we need more accountability on new expenditures, along with more connections with Georgia’s engineering schools. Strengthening ports and airports is another key point that Black emphasizes.
Issue #3: Law enforcement. He emphasizes the need for strong law enforcement, so he plans to equip officers with necessary tools and staffing in order to be successful. He wants to crack down on drug trafficking, specifically fentanyl and opioid trafficking and opposes all defunding efforts.
Q: What is one accomplishment you hope to achieve during your office if elected?
A: Black wants to increase childhood literacy, which he plans to tackle in several different ways, according to his website. Primarily, he wants to invest more resources in identifying students with learning disorders earlier. He plans to support teachers by holding the Georgia Department of Education accountable and investing in future teachers. He wants to expand and promote career-ready pathways, or Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) curriculum in high schools statewide.
*Black did not respond to interview requests. Responses pulled from his website and social media.
Suzanna Karatassos
Office Sought: Georgia State House District 120
Party: Democrat
Occupation: Content creator
Years in Community: Native of Athens
Candidate’s Election Priorities
Affordable healthcare including Medicaid expansion, lower housing and utility costs for working families and fully funding public school
More Info for Voters
Website: suzannaforstatehouse.com | Social Media: @suzanna_for_georgia (TikTok), @suzanna_for_georgia (Instagram)
Candidate FAQs
Q: Why are you running?
Her family’s experiences with healthcare costs, retirement insecurity, child care and caregiving showed her how state policies affect working families, according to her website. She says a miscarriage in 2024 also influenced her decision. She is running to represent residents who face those pressures and to provide leadership that she says will answer to constituents instead of corporations, lobbyists or wealthy special interests.
Q: What experiences have prepared you for this office?
Karatassos is an Athens native and Clarke Central High School graduate. Her experiences as a mother, caregiver, political content creator and self-employed worker without employer-sponsored benefits have shaped her understanding of the financial pressures facing working families.
Q: What are the most important issues facing our community and what would you do to address them?
Issue #1: Healthcare. Karatassos supports expanding Medicaid, protecting rural hospitals and making healthcare more affordable so families do not have to avoid medical treatment because of its cost.
Issue #2: Cost of Living. She identifies rising housing and utility costs as major concerns. She says she would prioritize policies that prevent families from being priced out of their communities.
Issue #3: Public Education: She supports funding public schools, opposing private-school voucher programs, increasing support for students with disabilities and providing “free” school lunches.
Q: What is one accomplishment you hope to achieve during your office if elected?
Karatassos wants to fully expand Medicaid in Georgia.
Q: What is one thing you want voters to know about you?
Karatassos considers herself independent of corporations, lobbyists and wealthy special interests, according to her website. She encourages residents to pay attention to state government and participate in elections. “Georgia deserves better, and it’s time for leadership that puts people over politics,” Karatassos said in a YouTube video. “As your Georgia House Representative, I will fight for your wallet, your healthcare, your family, and your freedoms.”
*Karatassos was unavailable for an interview. Responses are from her website and social media.
