The GA Files · 2026 Candidates

Georgia State House — District 70

Pierre Whatley (D) vs. Melissa Stuckey (R)

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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Democratic nominee (replaced withdrawn primary winner)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 · Times-Georgian — Boulai withdraws from HD 70 race · The Citizen — Coweta County Democratic Party statement on withdrawal of Diane Boulai · Wikipedia — 2026 Georgia House of Representatives election (2024 presidential margins by district)

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

Accountability File

None documented.

Times-Georgian — Boulai withdraws

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.

  • $3,300.00Peach State PAC – Georgia (Peachtree City, GA)
  • $3,300.00Philip Swords (Peachtree City, GA)
  • $3,300.00April M. Yarbrough (Sharpsburg, GA)
  • $3,300.00Chuck Efstration (Dacula, GA — House Majority Leader)
  • $2,500.00Friends of Lynn R. Smith, Inc. (Newnan, GA — retiring Rep. Lynn Smith's committee)
  • $2,500.00Hatchett for House (Dublin, GA — Rep. Matt Hatchett's committee)
  • $1,000.00Arthur Edge (Newnan, GA)
  • $1,000.00Joe Skipper (Newnan, GA)
  • $1,000.00Southern Cleaning Services, LLC (Newnan, GA)
  • $1,000.00Mathiak 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 · Times-Herald — Stuckey announces bid for Georgia House District 70 (Feb. 24, 2026) · The Current — Natural resources chair Rep. Lynn Smith to retire from state House (Feb. 24, 2026)

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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)

Accountability File

None documented.

Times-Herald — campaign announcement

Every entry is drawn from published reporting, official records, or the candidate's own statements, with sources on each item. Policy summaries are condensed and reflect stated positions; allegations or unresolved matters are labeled as such, and inclusion is not a finding of guilt. Last updated 2026-06-17.