# Georgia State House — District 140 — 2026 Candidates — The GA Files > Where the 2026 candidates for Georgia State House — District 140 stand — bio, prior offices, top donors, positions on DEI, LGBTQ+, abortion, and data centers, plus any scandals. Sourced. *Source: https://thegafiles.com/candidates/house-district-140.html · The GA Files (thegafiles.com)* --- [← 2026 Candidates](https://thegafiles.com/candidates.html) # Georgia State House — District 140 D ### Marquese Averett Democratic nominee · Columbus community activist Marquese “Skinny” Averett is a Columbus community activist. He had qualified to run for Columbus City Council District 7, then switched to this race on the final day of qualifying, March 6, after Rep. Teddy Reese announced his Senate bid — without him, the Republican would have been unopposed. He was unopposed in the May Democratic primary. “I'm not going to Atlanta to be a show horse. I'm going to be a workhorse,” he said. #### Previously held - First run for the General Assembly #### Top contributors His committee reports $0 raised and $0 on hand as of September 14, 2026. **$0** raised · **$0** cash on hand — as of **Sep 14, 2026** (GA Ethics latest filing). Source: [Georgia Ethics Commission (PeachFile) — cycle-to-date, Sept. 14, 2026](https://peachfile.ethics.ga.gov/) · [WTVM — Marquese Averett qualifies for Georgia House District 140 seat (March 9, 2026)](https://www.wtvm.com/2026/03/09/marquese-averett-qualifies-georgia-house-district-140-seat/) · [Courier News — Marquese “Skinny” Averett explains his decision to shift from City Council District 7 to State House District 140 (March 10, 2026)](https://www.couriernews.org/marquese-skinny-averett-explains-his-decision-to-shift-from-city-council-district-7-to-state-house-district-140/) · [Wikipedia — 2026 Georgia House of Representatives election (primary results; 2024 presidential margins by district)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Georgia_House_of_Representatives_election) #### Where they stand Education Wants to expand early childhood education. Source: [WTVM — Marquese Averett qualifies for Georgia House District 140 seat (March 9, 2026)](https://www.wtvm.com/2026/03/09/marquese-averett-qualifies-georgia-house-district-140-seat/) Healthcare We reviewed his campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [WTVM — Marquese Averett qualifies for Georgia House District 140 seat (March 9, 2026)](https://www.wtvm.com/2026/03/09/marquese-averett-qualifies-georgia-house-district-140-seat/) · [Courier News — Marquese “Skinny” Averett explains his decision to shift from City Council District 7 to State House District 140 (March 10, 2026)](https://www.couriernews.org/marquese-skinny-averett-explains-his-decision-to-shift-from-city-council-district-7-to-state-house-district-140/) Minimum Wage We reviewed his campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. He lists economic opportunity, “stronger support for families” and equitable infrastructure investment as priorities. Source: [WTVM — Marquese Averett qualifies for Georgia House District 140 seat (March 9, 2026)](https://www.wtvm.com/2026/03/09/marquese-averett-qualifies-georgia-house-district-140-seat/) · [Courier News — Marquese “Skinny” Averett explains his decision to shift from City Council District 7 to State House District 140 (March 10, 2026)](https://www.couriernews.org/marquese-skinny-averett-explains-his-decision-to-shift-from-city-council-district-7-to-state-house-district-140/) Homelessness We reviewed his campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [WTVM — Marquese Averett qualifies for Georgia House District 140 seat (March 9, 2026)](https://www.wtvm.com/2026/03/09/marquese-averett-qualifies-georgia-house-district-140-seat/) · [Courier News — Marquese “Skinny” Averett explains his decision to shift from City Council District 7 to State House District 140 (March 10, 2026)](https://www.couriernews.org/marquese-skinny-averett-explains-his-decision-to-shift-from-city-council-district-7-to-state-house-district-140/) Veterans Affairs We reviewed his campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [WTVM — Marquese Averett qualifies for Georgia House District 140 seat (March 9, 2026)](https://www.wtvm.com/2026/03/09/marquese-averett-qualifies-georgia-house-district-140-seat/) · [Courier News — Marquese “Skinny” Averett explains his decision to shift from City Council District 7 to State House District 140 (March 10, 2026)](https://www.couriernews.org/marquese-skinny-averett-explains-his-decision-to-shift-from-city-council-district-7-to-state-house-district-140/) Immigration We reviewed his campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [WTVM — Marquese Averett qualifies for Georgia House District 140 seat (March 9, 2026)](https://www.wtvm.com/2026/03/09/marquese-averett-qualifies-georgia-house-district-140-seat/) · [Courier News — Marquese “Skinny” Averett explains his decision to shift from City Council District 7 to State House District 140 (March 10, 2026)](https://www.couriernews.org/marquese-skinny-averett-explains-his-decision-to-shift-from-city-council-district-7-to-state-house-district-140/) Gun Control We reviewed his campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. He lists “safe neighborhoods” as a priority. Source: [Courier News — Marquese “Skinny” Averett explains his decision to shift from City Council District 7 to State House District 140 (March 10, 2026)](https://www.couriernews.org/marquese-skinny-averett-explains-his-decision-to-shift-from-city-council-district-7-to-state-house-district-140/) Abortion We reviewed his campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [WTVM — Marquese Averett qualifies for Georgia House District 140 seat (March 9, 2026)](https://www.wtvm.com/2026/03/09/marquese-averett-qualifies-georgia-house-district-140-seat/) · [Courier News — Marquese “Skinny” Averett explains his decision to shift from City Council District 7 to State House District 140 (March 10, 2026)](https://www.couriernews.org/marquese-skinny-averett-explains-his-decision-to-shift-from-city-council-district-7-to-state-house-district-140/) LGBTQ+ We reviewed his campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [WTVM — Marquese Averett qualifies for Georgia House District 140 seat (March 9, 2026)](https://www.wtvm.com/2026/03/09/marquese-averett-qualifies-georgia-house-district-140-seat/) · [Courier News — Marquese “Skinny” Averett explains his decision to shift from City Council District 7 to State House District 140 (March 10, 2026)](https://www.couriernews.org/marquese-skinny-averett-explains-his-decision-to-shift-from-city-council-district-7-to-state-house-district-140/) DEI We reviewed his campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [WTVM — Marquese Averett qualifies for Georgia House District 140 seat (March 9, 2026)](https://www.wtvm.com/2026/03/09/marquese-averett-qualifies-georgia-house-district-140-seat/) · [Courier News — Marquese “Skinny” Averett explains his decision to shift from City Council District 7 to State House District 140 (March 10, 2026)](https://www.couriernews.org/marquese-skinny-averett-explains-his-decision-to-shift-from-city-council-district-7-to-state-house-district-140/) Marijuana We reviewed his campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [WTVM — Marquese Averett qualifies for Georgia House District 140 seat (March 9, 2026)](https://www.wtvm.com/2026/03/09/marquese-averett-qualifies-georgia-house-district-140-seat/) · [Courier News — Marquese “Skinny” Averett explains his decision to shift from City Council District 7 to State House District 140 (March 10, 2026)](https://www.couriernews.org/marquese-skinny-averett-explains-his-decision-to-shift-from-city-council-district-7-to-state-house-district-140/) Data centers We reviewed his campaign coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [WTVM — Marquese Averett qualifies for Georgia House District 140 seat (March 9, 2026)](https://www.wtvm.com/2026/03/09/marquese-averett-qualifies-georgia-house-district-140-seat/) · [Courier News — Marquese “Skinny” Averett explains his decision to shift from City Council District 7 to State House District 140 (March 10, 2026)](https://www.couriernews.org/marquese-skinny-averett-explains-his-decision-to-shift-from-city-council-district-7-to-state-house-district-140/) #### Accountability File None documented. [WTVM — qualifying story](https://www.wtvm.com/2026/03/09/marquese-averett-qualifies-georgia-house-district-140-seat/) R ### Edward Kvietkus Jr. Republican nominee · Columbus pastor Edward Kvietkus Jr. is pastor of Rose Hill Baptist Church in Columbus and is making his first run for public office. He was unopposed in the May Republican primary. BranchVote reported in March 2026 that he had no campaign website or other information online. #### Previously held - First run for public office #### Top contributors $1,000 raised — all of it from the Georgia House Republican Trust, partly in-kind — and $600 on hand. - $1,000.00 — Georgia House Republican Trust, Inc. (Acworth, GA) **$1,000** raised · **$600** cash on hand — as of **Sep 14, 2026** (GA Ethics latest filing). Source: [Georgia Ethics Commission (PeachFile) — cycle-to-date, Sept. 14, 2026](https://peachfile.ethics.ga.gov/) · [BranchVote — Edward Kvietkus Jr., 2026 Republican primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-representative-ga-house-140-r/candidates/edward-kvietkus-jr) · [Wikipedia — 2026 Georgia House of Representatives election (primary results; 2024 presidential margins by district)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Georgia_House_of_Representatives_election) #### Where they stand Education We reviewed his candidate profile and public campaign materials as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Edward Kvietkus Jr., 2026 Republican primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-representative-ga-house-140-r/candidates/edward-kvietkus-jr) Healthcare We reviewed his candidate profile and public campaign materials as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Edward Kvietkus Jr., 2026 Republican primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-representative-ga-house-140-r/candidates/edward-kvietkus-jr) Minimum Wage We reviewed his candidate profile and public campaign materials as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Edward Kvietkus Jr., 2026 Republican primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-representative-ga-house-140-r/candidates/edward-kvietkus-jr) Homelessness We reviewed his candidate profile and public campaign materials as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Edward Kvietkus Jr., 2026 Republican primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-representative-ga-house-140-r/candidates/edward-kvietkus-jr) Veterans Affairs We reviewed his candidate profile and public campaign materials as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Edward Kvietkus Jr., 2026 Republican primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-representative-ga-house-140-r/candidates/edward-kvietkus-jr) Immigration We reviewed his candidate profile and public campaign materials as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Edward Kvietkus Jr., 2026 Republican primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-representative-ga-house-140-r/candidates/edward-kvietkus-jr) Gun Control We reviewed his candidate profile and public campaign materials as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Edward Kvietkus Jr., 2026 Republican primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-representative-ga-house-140-r/candidates/edward-kvietkus-jr) Abortion We reviewed his candidate profile and public campaign materials as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Edward Kvietkus Jr., 2026 Republican primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-representative-ga-house-140-r/candidates/edward-kvietkus-jr) LGBTQ+ We reviewed his candidate profile and public campaign materials as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Edward Kvietkus Jr., 2026 Republican primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-representative-ga-house-140-r/candidates/edward-kvietkus-jr) DEI We reviewed his candidate profile and public campaign materials as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Edward Kvietkus Jr., 2026 Republican primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-representative-ga-house-140-r/candidates/edward-kvietkus-jr) Marijuana We reviewed his candidate profile and public campaign materials as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Edward Kvietkus Jr., 2026 Republican primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-representative-ga-house-140-r/candidates/edward-kvietkus-jr) Data centers We reviewed his candidate profile and public campaign materials as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Edward Kvietkus Jr., 2026 Republican primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-representative-ga-house-140-r/candidates/edward-kvietkus-jr) #### Accountability File None documented. [BranchVote profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-representative-ga-house-140-r/candidates/edward-kvietkus-jr) [⬇ Share image](https://thegafiles.com/share/candidates/house-district-140.png) [⬇ Download for offline](https://thegafiles.com/candidates/house-district-140.offline.html) 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.