# Georgia State Senate — District 19 — 2026 Candidates — The GA Files > Where the 2026 candidates for Georgia State Senate — District 19 stand — bio, prior offices, top donors, positions on DEI, LGBTQ+, abortion, and data centers, plus any scandals. Sourced. *Source: https://thegafiles.com/candidates/senate-district-19.html · The GA Files (thegafiles.com)* --- [← 2026 Candidates](https://thegafiles.com/candidates.html) # Georgia State Senate — District 19 D ### Joshua Wilkerson Democratic nominee · Baxley pastor Joshua Wilkerson lives in Baxley with his wife and three children. He co-founded and is senior pastor of Catalyst International Ministries and founded the Georgia Minority Business Network. This is his first run for public office; he won the May Democratic primary. #### Previously held - First run for public office #### Top contributors $5,007 raised, almost entirely in small contributions from across south Georgia, and $437 on hand. - $250.00 — Pamela Woodley (Atlanta, GA) - $50.00 — Beatrice Russell (Albany, GA) - $50.00 — Belinda Tippins-Smith (Surrency, GA) - $50.00 — Casandra Battle (McRae-Helena, GA) - $50.00 — Patricia Hewitt (Richmond Hill, GA) - $50.00 — Regina McRae (Dublin, GA) **$5,007** raised · **$437** 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 — Joshua C. Wilkerson, 2026 Democratic primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-senator-ga-senate-19-d/candidates/joshua-c-wilkerson) · [Wikipedia — 2026 Georgia State Senate election (2024 presidential margins by district)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Georgia_State_Senate_election) #### Where they stand Education Supports investing in public education and technical and workforce training, and raising teacher and staff pay. Source: [BranchVote — Joshua C. Wilkerson, 2026 Democratic primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-senator-ga-senate-19-d/candidates/joshua-c-wilkerson) Healthcare Supports Medicaid expansion and investment in rural health-care infrastructure. Source: [BranchVote — Joshua C. Wilkerson, 2026 Democratic primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-senator-ga-senate-19-d/candidates/joshua-c-wilkerson) Minimum Wage We reviewed his candidate profile as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. He supports raising the tangible personal property tax exemption to help small businesses with inflation. Source: [BranchVote — Joshua C. Wilkerson, 2026 Democratic primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-senator-ga-senate-19-d/candidates/joshua-c-wilkerson) Homelessness We reviewed his candidate profile as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Joshua C. Wilkerson, 2026 Democratic primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-senator-ga-senate-19-d/candidates/joshua-c-wilkerson) Veterans Affairs We reviewed his candidate profile as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Joshua C. Wilkerson, 2026 Democratic primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-senator-ga-senate-19-d/candidates/joshua-c-wilkerson) Immigration We reviewed his candidate profile as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Joshua C. Wilkerson, 2026 Democratic primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-senator-ga-senate-19-d/candidates/joshua-c-wilkerson) Gun Control We reviewed his candidate profile as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Joshua C. Wilkerson, 2026 Democratic primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-senator-ga-senate-19-d/candidates/joshua-c-wilkerson) Abortion We reviewed his candidate profile as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Joshua C. Wilkerson, 2026 Democratic primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-senator-ga-senate-19-d/candidates/joshua-c-wilkerson) LGBTQ+ We reviewed his candidate profile as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Joshua C. Wilkerson, 2026 Democratic primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-senator-ga-senate-19-d/candidates/joshua-c-wilkerson) DEI We reviewed his candidate profile as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Joshua C. Wilkerson, 2026 Democratic primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-senator-ga-senate-19-d/candidates/joshua-c-wilkerson) Marijuana We reviewed his candidate profile as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Joshua C. Wilkerson, 2026 Democratic primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-senator-ga-senate-19-d/candidates/joshua-c-wilkerson) Data centers We reviewed his candidate profile as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [BranchVote — Joshua C. Wilkerson, 2026 Democratic primary profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-senator-ga-senate-19-d/candidates/joshua-c-wilkerson) #### Accountability File None documented. [BranchVote profile](https://branch.vote/races/2026-georgia-primary-election-ga-state-state-senator-ga-senate-19-d/candidates/joshua-c-wilkerson) R ### David Sikes Republican nominee · Toombs County Commission chairman David Sikes is a business owner and chairman of the Toombs County Commission, where he says he “delivered lower taxes, efficient government, and common-sense leadership.” He and his wife, Brandy, have three children. He won the May Republican primary outright with 57%, over retired Superior Court Judge Dwayne Gillis and Travis Hodges. #### Previously held - Chairman, Toombs County Commission #### Top contributors $214,500 raised plus $90,000 in loans; he has spent $186,415 and has $28,085 on hand. His largest donors include the Realtors and highway contractors' PACs, a family business in Cobbtown, Vidalia donors, and a committee aligned with Senate GOP leadership. - $3,500.00 — Georgia Association of Realtors PAC (Atlanta, GA) - $3,300.00 — Georgia Highway Contractors Association PAC (Alpharetta, GA) - $3,300.00 — Christopher Zorn (Vidalia, GA) - $3,300.00 — Sikes Brothers Inc (Cobbtown, GA) - $3,300.00 — Brent Ponce (Vidalia, GA) - $3,300.00 — Pittman Construction Company (Conyers, GA) - $3,300.00 — Vertical Earth Incorporated (Cumming, GA) - $3,300.00 — Competitive Georgia Action Inc (Griffin, GA) - $3,300.00 — Jason Anavitarte (Atlanta, GA — Senate Majority Leader) **$214,500** raised · **$28,085** 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/) · [Sikes for Senate — campaign site](https://sikesforsenate.com/) · [Decision Desk HQ — 2026 Georgia State Senate 19 Republican primary](https://votes.decisiondeskhq.com/races/2026-05-19/georgia-state-senate-19-republican-primary) · [Savannah Morning News — Republican Blake Tillery announces bid for Lt. Gov. (Aug. 11, 2025)](https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/state/2025/08/11/georgia-republican-state-sen-blake-tillery-launches-lt-gov-campaign/85607804007/) · [Wikipedia — 2026 Georgia State Senate election (2024 presidential margins by district)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Georgia_State_Senate_election) #### Where they stand Education We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Sikes for Senate — campaign site](https://sikesforsenate.com/) Healthcare We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Sikes for Senate — campaign site](https://sikesforsenate.com/) Minimum Wage We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. He pledges “lowering taxes & respecting the hard-earned dollars of our citizens.” Source: [Sikes for Senate — campaign site](https://sikesforsenate.com/) Homelessness We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Sikes for Senate — campaign site](https://sikesforsenate.com/) Veterans Affairs We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Sikes for Senate — campaign site](https://sikesforsenate.com/) Immigration We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Sikes for Senate — campaign site](https://sikesforsenate.com/) Gun Control Opposes gun restrictions: “Proudly pro-life, pro–Second Amendment.” Source: [Sikes for Senate — campaign site](https://sikesforsenate.com/) Abortion Opposes abortion rights: “Proudly pro-life.” Source: [Sikes for Senate — campaign site](https://sikesforsenate.com/) LGBTQ+ We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Sikes for Senate — campaign site](https://sikesforsenate.com/) DEI We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Sikes for Senate — campaign site](https://sikesforsenate.com/) Marijuana We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Sikes for Senate — campaign site](https://sikesforsenate.com/) Data centers We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Sikes for Senate — campaign site](https://sikesforsenate.com/) #### Accountability File None documented. [Campaign site](https://sikesforsenate.com/) [⬇ Share image](https://thegafiles.com/share/candidates/senate-district-19.png) [⬇ Download for offline](https://thegafiles.com/candidates/senate-district-19.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.