# Georgia State House — District 70 — 2026 Candidates — The GA Files > Where the 2026 candidates for Georgia State House — District 70 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-70.html · The GA Files (thegafiles.com)* --- [← 2026 Candidates](https://thegafiles.com/candidates.html) # Georgia State House — District 70 D ### Pierre Whatley Democratic nominee (replaced withdrawn primary winner) Pierre Whatley became the Democratic nominee after primary winner Diane Boulai withdrew in late June 2026 citing ongoing health challenges. Whatley had finished a close second in the May primary, winning more than 46% of the vote in both Carroll and Coweta counties; Georgia law makes a primary runner-up with more than 40% the nominee when the winner withdraws. We found no campaign website or published background for him as of September 2026. #### Previously held - 2026 Democratic primary runner-up, House District 70 #### Top contributors $1,357.54 raised and $1,357.54 on hand as of September 14, 2026. **$1,358** raised · **$1,358** 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/) · [Times-Georgian — Boulai withdraws from HD 70 race](https://www.times-georgian.com/news/local/boulai-withdraws-from-hd-70-race/article_af0642a1-2d78-568a-a9d3-8fdcc98b470f.html) · [The Citizen — Coweta County Democratic Party statement on withdrawal of Diane Boulai](https://thecitizen.com/2026/06/26/coweta-county-democratic-party-statement-on-withdrawal-of-diane-boulai-from-georgia-house-district-70-race/) · [Wikipedia — 2026 Georgia House of Representatives election (2024 presidential margins by district)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Georgia_House_of_Representatives_election) #### Where they stand Education We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Georgian — Boulai withdraws from HD 70 race](https://www.times-georgian.com/news/local/boulai-withdraws-from-hd-70-race/article_af0642a1-2d78-568a-a9d3-8fdcc98b470f.html) Healthcare We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Georgian — Boulai withdraws from HD 70 race](https://www.times-georgian.com/news/local/boulai-withdraws-from-hd-70-race/article_af0642a1-2d78-568a-a9d3-8fdcc98b470f.html) Minimum Wage We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Georgian — Boulai withdraws from HD 70 race](https://www.times-georgian.com/news/local/boulai-withdraws-from-hd-70-race/article_af0642a1-2d78-568a-a9d3-8fdcc98b470f.html) Homelessness We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Georgian — Boulai withdraws from HD 70 race](https://www.times-georgian.com/news/local/boulai-withdraws-from-hd-70-race/article_af0642a1-2d78-568a-a9d3-8fdcc98b470f.html) Veterans Affairs We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Georgian — Boulai withdraws from HD 70 race](https://www.times-georgian.com/news/local/boulai-withdraws-from-hd-70-race/article_af0642a1-2d78-568a-a9d3-8fdcc98b470f.html) Immigration We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Georgian — Boulai withdraws from HD 70 race](https://www.times-georgian.com/news/local/boulai-withdraws-from-hd-70-race/article_af0642a1-2d78-568a-a9d3-8fdcc98b470f.html) Gun Control We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Georgian — Boulai withdraws from HD 70 race](https://www.times-georgian.com/news/local/boulai-withdraws-from-hd-70-race/article_af0642a1-2d78-568a-a9d3-8fdcc98b470f.html) Abortion We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Georgian — Boulai withdraws from HD 70 race](https://www.times-georgian.com/news/local/boulai-withdraws-from-hd-70-race/article_af0642a1-2d78-568a-a9d3-8fdcc98b470f.html) LGBTQ+ We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Georgian — Boulai withdraws from HD 70 race](https://www.times-georgian.com/news/local/boulai-withdraws-from-hd-70-race/article_af0642a1-2d78-568a-a9d3-8fdcc98b470f.html) DEI We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Georgian — Boulai withdraws from HD 70 race](https://www.times-georgian.com/news/local/boulai-withdraws-from-hd-70-race/article_af0642a1-2d78-568a-a9d3-8fdcc98b470f.html) Marijuana We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Georgian — Boulai withdraws from HD 70 race](https://www.times-georgian.com/news/local/boulai-withdraws-from-hd-70-race/article_af0642a1-2d78-568a-a9d3-8fdcc98b470f.html) Data centers We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Georgian — Boulai withdraws from HD 70 race](https://www.times-georgian.com/news/local/boulai-withdraws-from-hd-70-race/article_af0642a1-2d78-568a-a9d3-8fdcc98b470f.html) #### Accountability File None documented. [Times-Georgian — Boulai withdraws](https://www.times-georgian.com/news/local/boulai-withdraws-from-hd-70-race/article_af0642a1-2d78-568a-a9d3-8fdcc98b470f.html) R ### Melissa Stuckey Republican nominee · government contracts executive Melissa Stuckey of Newnan is vice president and government contract administrator at Southern Power Systems Services, with more than 20 years in federal compliance and operations management. She holds a business degree in accounting from Clayton College and State University and is active in Coweta County civic initiatives. She is running on lowering the cost of living, reducing taxes and public safety: “Coweta County families are working harder than ever and still falling behind.” #### Previously held - First run for public office - Vice president, Southern Power Systems Services #### Top contributors $44,020 raised and $11,038 in the bank. Her largest donors include retiring Rep. Lynn Smith's committee, House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, Rep. Matt Hatchett's and Rep. Karen Mathiak's committees, and Peachtree City donors. - $3,300.00 — Peach State PAC – Georgia (Peachtree City, GA) - $3,300.00 — Philip Swords (Peachtree City, GA) - $3,300.00 — April M. Yarbrough (Sharpsburg, GA) - $3,300.00 — Chuck Efstration (Dacula, GA — House Majority Leader) - $2,500.00 — Friends of Lynn R. Smith, Inc. (Newnan, GA — retiring Rep. Lynn Smith's committee) - $2,500.00 — Hatchett for House (Dublin, GA — Rep. Matt Hatchett's committee) - $1,000.00 — Arthur Edge (Newnan, GA) - $1,000.00 — Joe Skipper (Newnan, GA) - $1,000.00 — Southern Cleaning Services, LLC (Newnan, GA) - $1,000.00 — Mathiak for State House (Griffin, GA — Rep. Karen Mathiak's committee) **$44,020** raised · **$11,038** 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/) · [Times-Herald — Stuckey announces bid for Georgia House District 70 (Feb. 24, 2026)](https://www.times-herald.com/news/stuckey-announces-bid-for-georgia-house-district-70/article_0859e75f-4ca2-449b-8f8d-073f425d2cc3.html) · [The Current — Natural resources chair Rep. Lynn Smith to retire from state House (Feb. 24, 2026)](https://thecurrentga.org/2026/02/24/georgia-natural-resources-chair-rep-lynn-smith-to-retire-from-state-house/) #### Where they stand Education We reviewed her campaign announcement and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Herald — Stuckey announces bid for Georgia House District 70 (Feb. 24, 2026)](https://www.times-herald.com/news/stuckey-announces-bid-for-georgia-house-district-70/article_0859e75f-4ca2-449b-8f8d-073f425d2cc3.html) Healthcare We reviewed her campaign announcement and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Herald — Stuckey announces bid for Georgia House District 70 (Feb. 24, 2026)](https://www.times-herald.com/news/stuckey-announces-bid-for-georgia-house-district-70/article_0859e75f-4ca2-449b-8f8d-073f425d2cc3.html) Minimum Wage We reviewed her campaign announcement and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. She wants a representative who “fights to keep more money in their pockets,” and lists lowering the cost of living and reducing taxes as priorities. Source: [Times-Herald — Stuckey announces bid for Georgia House District 70 (Feb. 24, 2026)](https://www.times-herald.com/news/stuckey-announces-bid-for-georgia-house-district-70/article_0859e75f-4ca2-449b-8f8d-073f425d2cc3.html) Homelessness We reviewed her campaign announcement and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Herald — Stuckey announces bid for Georgia House District 70 (Feb. 24, 2026)](https://www.times-herald.com/news/stuckey-announces-bid-for-georgia-house-district-70/article_0859e75f-4ca2-449b-8f8d-073f425d2cc3.html) Veterans Affairs We reviewed her campaign announcement and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Herald — Stuckey announces bid for Georgia House District 70 (Feb. 24, 2026)](https://www.times-herald.com/news/stuckey-announces-bid-for-georgia-house-district-70/article_0859e75f-4ca2-449b-8f8d-073f425d2cc3.html) Immigration We reviewed her campaign announcement and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Herald — Stuckey announces bid for Georgia House District 70 (Feb. 24, 2026)](https://www.times-herald.com/news/stuckey-announces-bid-for-georgia-house-district-70/article_0859e75f-4ca2-449b-8f8d-073f425d2cc3.html) Gun Control We reviewed her campaign announcement and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. She lists public safety as a priority: “makes sure our communities remain safe.” Source: [Times-Herald — Stuckey announces bid for Georgia House District 70 (Feb. 24, 2026)](https://www.times-herald.com/news/stuckey-announces-bid-for-georgia-house-district-70/article_0859e75f-4ca2-449b-8f8d-073f425d2cc3.html) Abortion We reviewed her campaign announcement and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Herald — Stuckey announces bid for Georgia House District 70 (Feb. 24, 2026)](https://www.times-herald.com/news/stuckey-announces-bid-for-georgia-house-district-70/article_0859e75f-4ca2-449b-8f8d-073f425d2cc3.html) LGBTQ+ We reviewed her campaign announcement and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Herald — Stuckey announces bid for Georgia House District 70 (Feb. 24, 2026)](https://www.times-herald.com/news/stuckey-announces-bid-for-georgia-house-district-70/article_0859e75f-4ca2-449b-8f8d-073f425d2cc3.html) DEI We reviewed her campaign announcement and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Herald — Stuckey announces bid for Georgia House District 70 (Feb. 24, 2026)](https://www.times-herald.com/news/stuckey-announces-bid-for-georgia-house-district-70/article_0859e75f-4ca2-449b-8f8d-073f425d2cc3.html) Marijuana We reviewed her campaign announcement and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Herald — Stuckey announces bid for Georgia House District 70 (Feb. 24, 2026)](https://www.times-herald.com/news/stuckey-announces-bid-for-georgia-house-district-70/article_0859e75f-4ca2-449b-8f8d-073f425d2cc3.html) Data centers We reviewed her campaign announcement and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Times-Herald — Stuckey announces bid for Georgia House District 70 (Feb. 24, 2026)](https://www.times-herald.com/news/stuckey-announces-bid-for-georgia-house-district-70/article_0859e75f-4ca2-449b-8f8d-073f425d2cc3.html) #### Accountability File None documented. [Times-Herald — campaign announcement](https://www.times-herald.com/news/stuckey-announces-bid-for-georgia-house-district-70/article_0859e75f-4ca2-449b-8f8d-073f425d2cc3.html) [⬇ Share image](https://thegafiles.com/share/candidates/house-district-70.png) [⬇ Download for offline](https://thegafiles.com/candidates/house-district-70.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.