The GA Files · 2026 Candidates

Georgia State Senate — District 19

Joshua Wilkerson (D) vs. David Sikes (R)

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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.

  • $250.00Pamela Woodley (Atlanta, GA)
  • $50.00Beatrice Russell (Albany, GA)
  • $50.00Belinda Tippins-Smith (Surrency, GA)
  • $50.00Casandra Battle (McRae-Helena, GA)
  • $50.00Patricia Hewitt (Richmond Hill, GA)
  • $50.00Regina 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 · BranchVote — Joshua C. Wilkerson, 2026 Democratic primary profile · Wikipedia — 2026 Georgia State Senate election (2024 presidential margins by district)

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
Healthcare

Supports Medicaid expansion and investment in rural health-care infrastructure.

Source: BranchVote — Joshua C. Wilkerson, 2026 Democratic primary profile
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

Accountability File

None documented.

BranchVote profile

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.

  • $3,500.00Georgia Association of Realtors PAC (Atlanta, GA)
  • $3,300.00Georgia Highway Contractors Association PAC (Alpharetta, GA)
  • $3,300.00Christopher Zorn (Vidalia, GA)
  • $3,300.00Sikes Brothers Inc (Cobbtown, GA)
  • $3,300.00Brent Ponce (Vidalia, GA)
  • $3,300.00Pittman Construction Company (Conyers, GA)
  • $3,300.00Vertical Earth Incorporated (Cumming, GA)
  • $3,300.00Competitive Georgia Action Inc (Griffin, GA)
  • $3,300.00Jason 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 · Sikes for Senate — campaign site · Decision Desk HQ — 2026 Georgia State Senate 19 Republican primary · Savannah Morning News — Republican Blake Tillery announces bid for Lt. Gov. (Aug. 11, 2025) · Wikipedia — 2026 Georgia State Senate election (2024 presidential margins by district)

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
Healthcare

We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Sikes for Senate — campaign site
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
Homelessness

We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Sikes for Senate — campaign site
Veterans Affairs

We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Sikes for Senate — campaign site
Immigration

We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Sikes for Senate — campaign site
Gun Control

Opposes gun restrictions: “Proudly pro-life, pro–Second Amendment.”

Source: Sikes for Senate — campaign site
Abortion

Opposes abortion rights: “Proudly pro-life.”

Source: Sikes for Senate — campaign site
LGBTQ+

We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Sikes for Senate — campaign site
DEI

We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Sikes for Senate — campaign site
Marijuana

We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Sikes for Senate — campaign site
Data centers

We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Sikes for Senate — campaign site

Accountability File

None documented.

Campaign site

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.