The GA Files

← 2026 Candidates

Georgia State House — District 121

D

Eric Gisler

Democratic incumbent (since Jan. 2026) · insurance-tech executive, grocery owner

Eric Gisler is a Watkinsville resident and University of Georgia alumnus who works for an insurance-technology startup and owns a gourmet grocery store. He was the Democratic nominee for this seat in 2024, losing to Rep. Marcus Wiedower with 38.9%. After Wiedower resigned, Gisler won the December 9, 2025 special election 50.85% to 49.15% — about 200 votes — and was sworn in January 8, 2026 at the Oconee County Courthouse. He has two children.

Previously held

  • State Representative, House District 121 (January 2026–present)
  • 2024 Democratic nominee, House District 121
  • Insurance-technology executive; gourmet grocery owner

Top contributors

$130,585 raised, slightly more than Guest, but $42,280 in the bank against Guest's $177,405. His largest donors include the Georgia Association of Educators, the Fighting Fifty PAC (recorded under two slightly different names), the Athens-Clarke County Democratic Committee and Democratic donors in Decatur and Atlanta.

  • $5,000.00Robert Herndon (Decatur, GA)
  • $3,500.00Georgia Association of Educators (Tucker, GA)
  • $3,300.00Fighting 50 PAC, Inc. (Decatur, GA)
  • $3,030.00Fighting Fifty PAC (Decatur, GA)
  • $3,000.00Sherry Gisler (Jonesboro, GA)
  • $3,000.00Pamela Woodley (Decatur, GA)
  • $2,500.00Scott Satterwhite (Decatur, GA)
  • $2,000.00Athens-Clarke County Democratic Committee (Athens, GA)
  • $2,000.00Michael St. Louis (Atlanta, GA)

$130,585 raised · $42,280 cash on hand — as of Sep 14, 2026 (GA Ethics latest filing).

Source: Georgia Ethics Commission (PeachFile) — cycle-to-date, Sept. 14, 2026 · Wikipedia — Eric Gisler · Georgia Recorder — Democrat flips northeast Georgia state House seat, pulling off special election upset · Wikipedia — 2026 Georgia House of Representatives election (2024 presidential margins by district)

Where they stand

Education

We reviewed his campaign coverage, candidate interviews and 2026 legislative record as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. He campaigned on strong public schools but has not published a specific school-funding or voucher position we could find.

Source: GA Files fact sheet — Eric Gisler
Healthcare

“Right now in the state of Georgia there are 1.2 million people who have no healthcare coverage.” He has proposed exploring a state reinsurance program that lets insurers transfer risk to the state.

Source: WUGA — “Georgia at a crossroads:” Eric Gisler on State House candidacy (Nov. 12, 2025)
Minimum Wage

We reviewed his campaign coverage, candidate interviews and 2026 legislative record as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. He voted NO on SB 33 (2026), local-option homestead sales-tax relief.

Source: GA Files fact sheet — Eric Gisler · Georgia General Assembly — House roll-call votes
Homelessness

Voted NO on HB 295 (2026), which restricts unsanctioned public camping and pushes local governments toward enforcement.

Source: GA Files fact sheet — Eric Gisler · Georgia General Assembly — House roll-call votes
Veterans Affairs

We reviewed his campaign coverage, candidate interviews and 2026 legislative record as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: GA Files fact sheet — Eric Gisler
Immigration

We reviewed his campaign coverage, candidate interviews and 2026 legislative record as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: GA Files fact sheet — Eric Gisler
Gun Control

We reviewed his campaign coverage, candidate interviews and 2026 legislative record as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: GA Files fact sheet — Eric Gisler
Abortion

We reviewed his campaign coverage, candidate interviews and 2026 legislative record as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. He took office in 2026, after the votes on Georgia's abortion and IVF laws tracked here.

Source: GA Files fact sheet — Eric Gisler
LGBTQ+

We reviewed his campaign coverage, candidate interviews and 2026 legislative record as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. He took office after the 2023 and 2025 votes on transgender-related bills tracked here.

Source: GA Files fact sheet — Eric Gisler
DEI

We reviewed his campaign coverage, candidate interviews and 2026 legislative record as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: GA Files fact sheet — Eric Gisler
Marijuana

Voted YES on SB 220 (2026), the bipartisan expansion of Georgia's low-THC medical cannabis program.

Source: GA Files fact sheet — Eric Gisler · Georgia General Assembly — House roll-call votes
Data centers

We reviewed his campaign coverage, candidate interviews and 2026 legislative record as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: GA Files fact sheet — Eric Gisler

Accountability File

None documented.

Wikipedia · Full legislator fact sheet

R

Mack “Dutch” Guest IV

Republican nominee · trucking executive; 2025 special-election nominee

Mack “Dutch” Guest IV runs LAD Truck Lines, a Watkinsville family trucking business where he has worked since 2007 in jobs from driver to general manager; he is the fourth generation of his family in trucking. He serves on the Oconee State Bank community advisory board and the Georgia Motor Trucking Association executive board, is a past president of the Oconee County Rotary Club and the Touchdown Club of Athens, coaches youth football and is an Eagle Scout. He and his wife, Mary Beth, have two children. Running with Gov. Brian Kemp's backing, he lost the December 2025 special election to Gisler by about 200 votes.

Previously held

  • 2025 Republican nominee, House District 121 special election
  • Owner, LAD Truck Lines
  • Executive board, Georgia Motor Trucking Association

Top contributors

$117,750 raised this cycle and $177,405 in the bank — more than he has raised, meaning money carried into this committee from before the cycle. His largest donors are largely trucking, logistics, construction and property businesses, plus the campaign committee of Marcus Wiedower, the Republican whose resignation opened the seat.

  • $6,600.00Donald Leebern (McDonough, GA)
  • $3,300.00Robert S. Scott (Bogart, GA)
  • $3,300.00Cindy M. Scott (Bogart, GA)
  • $3,300.00CBP Environmental Inc (Statham, GA)
  • $3,300.00George Lee (Statham, GA)
  • $3,300.00Courier Express Holdings Inc (Marietta, GA)
  • $3,300.00Friends of Marcus Wiedower (Watkinsville, GA — former Rep. Wiedower's committee)
  • $3,300.00Welbrook Logistics LLC (Watkinsville, GA)
  • $3,300.00Southeast Utility Trailer LLC (Stockbridge, GA)
  • $3,300.00ABM Properties LLC (Cumming, GA)

$117,750 raised · $177,405 cash on hand — as of Sep 14, 2026 (GA Ethics latest filing).

Source: Georgia Ethics Commission (PeachFile) — cycle-to-date, Sept. 14, 2026 · Dutch Guest for State House — campaign site · Oconee County Observations — Republican “Dutch” Guest holds meet and greet at Wire Park (Aug. 2026)

Where they stand

Education

We reviewed his campaign site, candidate profiles and campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. He lists education as a focus without a specific policy.

Source: BranchVote — Mack “Dutch” Guest IV (2025 special election) · Dutch Guest for State House — campaign site
Healthcare

We reviewed his campaign site, candidate profiles and campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: BranchVote — Mack “Dutch” Guest IV (2025 special election) · Dutch Guest for State House — campaign site
Minimum Wage

We reviewed his campaign site, candidate profiles and campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. On the economy he emphasizes transportation infrastructure, saying he will champion roads that are “safe and efficient for all our citizens.”

Source: BranchVote — Mack “Dutch” Guest IV (2025 special election)
Homelessness

We reviewed his campaign site, candidate profiles and campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Dutch Guest for State House — campaign site
Veterans Affairs

We reviewed his campaign site, candidate profiles and campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Dutch Guest for State House — campaign site
Immigration

We reviewed his campaign site, candidate profiles and campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Dutch Guest for State House — campaign site
Gun Control

We reviewed his campaign site, candidate profiles and campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. On public safety, he warns of “rising crime, unchecked fraud” under “failed Democrat policies” and says “We need conservative leaders in Atlanta who will stand up for everyday citizens.”

Source: Dutch Guest for State House — campaign site
Abortion

We reviewed his campaign site, candidate profiles and campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Dutch Guest for State House — campaign site · BranchVote — Mack “Dutch” Guest IV (2025 special election)
LGBTQ+

We reviewed his campaign site, candidate profiles and campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Dutch Guest for State House — campaign site
DEI

We reviewed his campaign site, candidate profiles and campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Dutch Guest for State House — campaign site
Marijuana

We reviewed his campaign site, candidate profiles and campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Dutch Guest for State House — campaign site
Data centers

We reviewed his campaign site, candidate profiles and campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Dutch Guest for State House — campaign site

Accountability File

None documented.

Campaign site

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Every entry is drawn from published reporting, official records, or the candidate's own statements, with sources on each item. Policy summaries are condensed from that reporting and reflect the candidate's stated positions; where a matter is an allegation or unresolved, that is noted, and inclusion is not a finding of guilt. Contributor figures are early/partial where the official itemized filings (Georgia Ethics Commission) are still being compiled. Corrections welcome via the contact link in the footer. Last updated 2026-06-17.