Penny Brown Reynolds
Democratic nomineeA former Fulton County state-court judge and executive counsel to Gov. Roy Barnes who later served as a Biden-era USDA civil-rights official; she also hosted the TV show “Family Court with Judge Penny.” Barnes — Georgia's last Democratic governor — chairs her campaign. She won the June 2026 Democratic runoff.
Previously held
- Fulton County State Court judge
- Executive counsel to Gov. Roy Barnes
- USDA — Office of the Asst. Secretary for Civil Rights (2022)
Top contributors
Backed and chaired by former Gov. Roy Barnes — whose law firm is among her largest donors — atop a small-dollar base; itemized donors are filed with the Georgia Ethics Commission.
- $18,400.00Simmons, Kenya (LITHONIA, GA)
- $13,200.00Kahn, Robert (Atlanta, GA)
- $13,200.00Virani, Alisha (Decatur, GA)
- $13,200.00Sanders, Ronald (Decatur, GA)
- $13,200.00Abebe, Eskender (Decatur, GA)
- $13,200.00Kahn, Susan (Atlanta, GA)
- $13,200.00Vizas, Katie (Atlanta, GA)
$740,450 raised · $22,021 cash on hand — as of Jun 12, 2026 (GA Ethics latest filing).
Source: Georgia Recorder · Ballotpedia · Transparency USA (GA filings)Where they stand
Centers her campaign on access — pledging to remove “unnecessary barriers” so every eligible Georgian can vote, and to work with all 159 county election offices so they have the resources to run elections.
Source: Georgia Recorder — Dem SoS voter guideFrames it through voter access and protection; she has not detailed a specific absentee-ballot plan.
Source: BallotpediaHas not laid out a detailed voter-ID position.
Source: BallotpediaStresses protecting eligible voters from losing their registration; she has not detailed a specific list-maintenance plan.
Source: Georgia Recorder — Dem SoS voter guidePromises “free, fair, and secure” elections and wants every county properly resourced; no specific stance on the state's voting machines vs. hand-marked paper.
Source: Georgia Recorder — Dem SoS voter guideA former judge running on restoring public trust in elections — positioned as a defender of accurate, certified results against fraud claims.
Source: Georgia RecorderHighlights protecting seniors and other vulnerable Georgians from fraud and modernizing the office through technology and transparency.
Source: BallotpediaTakes the office's non-election duties seriously — pledging to support small businesses and entrepreneurs and to safeguard seniors from fraud (the secretary of state also runs business registration, securities, and charities).
Source: BallotpediaScandals
None documented.