# Georgia State Senate — District 42 — 2026 Candidates — The GA Files > Where the 2026 candidates for Georgia State Senate — District 42 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-42.html · The GA Files (thegafiles.com)* --- [← 2026 Candidates](https://thegafiles.com/candidates.html) # Georgia State Senate — District 42 D ### Eric Lee Democratic nominee · senior pastor, Springfield Baptist Church Rev. Eric Lee has been senior pastor of Springfield Baptist Church since 1999, growing the congregation from about 100 members to about 7,000. He attended Morehouse College, earned a divinity degree from Vanderbilt University and is a Leadership Georgia graduate. He and his wife of 33 years, Meik, a Newton County Schools speech pathologist, have five children and live in the Oxford area. He was the only Democrat to qualify. #### Previously held - First run for the General Assembly - Senior pastor, Springfield Baptist Church (since 1999) #### Top contributors $49,317 raised and almost none of it spent — $48,807 on hand. His largest donors include a Tifton law firm, a McDonough donor who gave $5,000 in two entries, and a Washington, D.C., PAC. - $5,000.00 — Jason Reynolds (McDonough, GA — two entries) - $3,300.00 — Young Burch LLC (Tifton, GA) - $2,000.00 — Speak Up PAC (Washington, DC) - $1,300.00 — Reginald Moore (Conyers, GA) - $1,000.00 — Isaac Hayward (Conyers, GA) - $1,000.00 — Joel Collins (Atlanta, GA) - $1,000.00 — LeKeyia Reid (Covington, GA) - $1,000.00 — Stephanie Lindsey (Covington, GA) - $1,000.00 — Terrelle Enterprises, Inc. (Madison, GA) **$49,317** raised · **$48,807** 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/) · [Eric Lee for Georgia State Senate — About](https://ericleeforgeorgia.com/about.html) · [Eric Lee for Georgia State Senate — Priorities](https://ericleeforgeorgia.com/priorities.html) · [Covington News — Over two dozen qualify for state-level seats (March 2026)](https://www.covnews.com/news/state/over-two-dozen-qualify-for-state-level-seats/) · [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 Wants “education funding that prepares every child without drowning families in debt,” and workforce pathways tied to technical education. Source: [Eric Lee for Georgia State Senate — Priorities](https://ericleeforgeorgia.com/priorities.html) Healthcare Supports “lower healthcare costs and expansion of Medicaid,” plus mental health services and public health infrastructure. Source: [Eric Lee for Georgia State Senate — Priorities](https://ericleeforgeorgia.com/priorities.html) Minimum Wage Supports “a meaningful increase to Georgia's minimum wage.” Source: [Eric Lee for Georgia State Senate — Priorities](https://ericleeforgeorgia.com/priorities.html) Homelessness We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. He supports “affordable housing and first-time home buyer incentives.” Source: [Eric Lee for Georgia State Senate — Priorities](https://ericleeforgeorgia.com/priorities.html) Veterans Affairs We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Eric Lee for Georgia State Senate — Priorities](https://ericleeforgeorgia.com/priorities.html) Immigration We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Eric Lee for Georgia State Senate — Priorities](https://ericleeforgeorgia.com/priorities.html) Gun Control We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. He supports “public safety built on trust, training, and community partnership.” Source: [Eric Lee for Georgia State Senate — Priorities](https://ericleeforgeorgia.com/priorities.html) Abortion We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Eric Lee for Georgia State Senate — Priorities](https://ericleeforgeorgia.com/priorities.html) LGBTQ+ We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Eric Lee for Georgia State Senate — Priorities](https://ericleeforgeorgia.com/priorities.html) DEI We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Eric Lee for Georgia State Senate — Priorities](https://ericleeforgeorgia.com/priorities.html) Marijuana We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Eric Lee for Georgia State Senate — Priorities](https://ericleeforgeorgia.com/priorities.html) Data centers We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. He supports “transparency in zoning and development decisions.” Source: [Eric Lee for Georgia State Senate — Priorities](https://ericleeforgeorgia.com/priorities.html) #### Accountability File None documented. [Campaign site](https://ericleeforgeorgia.com/) R ### Bret Dunn Republican nominee · Covington attorney, Marine Corps veteran Bret Dunn is a Covington native and attorney. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2019 to 2025, rising to captain as a judge advocate who defended Marines in courts-martial. He was the only Republican to qualify. “I'm fighting to protect the American values that made our country great and block the radical Left's agenda,” his campaign says. #### Previously held - First run for public office - U.S. Marine Corps judge advocate (2019–2025) #### Top contributors $240,790 raised and only $71,428 spent, leaving $164,056. His largest donor is Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte's committee; the list also includes Dunn himself, his law firms and a family member. - $6,600.00 — Committee to Elect Jason Anavitarte (Dallas, GA — Senate Majority Leader) - $3,500.00 — Donald Mitchell (Covington, GA) - $3,405.60 — Pravin Patel (McDonough, GA) - $3,300.00 — Jonathan Hinton (Palm City, FL) - $3,300.00 — Joe Sellars (Covington, GA) - $3,300.00 — Bret A Dunn Law LLC (Covington, GA — the candidate's firm) - $3,300.00 — Bret A. Dunn (Covington, GA — the candidate) - $3,300.00 — Kennedy Dunn (Covington, GA) - $3,300.00 — Strauss and Dunn LLC (Covington, GA) - $3,300.00 — Joe Crump (Loganville, GA) **$240,790** raised · **$164,056** 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/) · [Bret Dunn for State Senate — campaign site](https://www.dunnforgeorgia.com/) · [Walton Tribune — Dunn to vie for District 42 during May 2026 primary](https://www.waltontribune.com/news/dunn-to-vie-for-district-42-during-may-2026-primary/article_eb44c6d4-352d-41c6-a30d-dc23104eaae9.html) · [Covington News — Over two dozen qualify for state-level seats (March 2026)](https://www.covnews.com/news/state/over-two-dozen-qualify-for-state-level-seats/) · [AJC — GOP's Brian Strickland begins campaign for Georgia attorney general (June 2025)](https://www.ajc.com/politics/2025/06/gops-brian-strickland-begins-campaign-for-georgia-attorney-general/) · [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 “Defend Parental Rights in Education from Government Overreach.” Source: [Bret Dunn for State Senate — campaign site](https://www.dunnforgeorgia.com/) Healthcare We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Bret Dunn for State Senate — campaign site](https://www.dunnforgeorgia.com/) Minimum Wage We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Bret Dunn for State Senate — campaign site](https://www.dunnforgeorgia.com/) Homelessness We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Bret Dunn for State Senate — campaign site](https://www.dunnforgeorgia.com/) Veterans Affairs We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Bret Dunn for State Senate — campaign site](https://www.dunnforgeorgia.com/) Immigration “Secure our borders and crack down on illegal immigration in Georgia.” Source: [Bret Dunn for State Senate — campaign site](https://www.dunnforgeorgia.com/) Gun Control Opposes gun restrictions: “Defend the 2nd Amendment. An Armed Citizenry is Safest.” Source: [Bret Dunn for State Senate — campaign site](https://www.dunnforgeorgia.com/) Abortion Opposes abortion rights: “Protect the Unborn and Call on Fathers to Step Up to Lead and Raise Their Children.” Source: [Bret Dunn for State Senate — campaign site](https://www.dunnforgeorgia.com/) LGBTQ+ We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Bret Dunn for State Senate — campaign site](https://www.dunnforgeorgia.com/) DEI Pledges to “Defend the American family and oppose the Woke Agenda.” Source: [Bret Dunn for State Senate — campaign site](https://www.dunnforgeorgia.com/) Marijuana We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. Source: [Bret Dunn for State Senate — campaign site](https://www.dunnforgeorgia.com/) Data centers “Stop Forcing Ratepayers to Subsidize Datacenters & Big Corporations.” Source: [Bret Dunn for State Senate — campaign site](https://www.dunnforgeorgia.com/) #### Accountability File None documented. [Campaign site](https://www.dunnforgeorgia.com/) [⬇ Share image](https://thegafiles.com/share/candidates/senate-district-42.png) [⬇ Download for offline](https://thegafiles.com/candidates/senate-district-42.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.