The GA Files · 2026 Candidates

Georgia State Senate — District 46

Ray Smith (D) vs. Marc McMain (R)

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D

Ray Smith

Democratic nominee · software engineer

Ray Smith, 34, is a software engineer from Oconee County with a computer science degree from the University of Georgia. He is second vice chair of the Oconee County Democrats, holds leadership roles with Indivisible Georgia District 10 and the Unitarian Universalist Georgia Legislative Action Network, and co-founded the nonprofit Community Works Oconee. He lives in Oconee County with his wife and young son, and won the May Democratic primary over William Gaulden. He is endorsed by Georgia Equality and the Georgia Association of Educators.

Previously held

  • First run for the General Assembly

Top contributors

$41,698 raised (including $1,400 in-kind); he has spent $24,297 and has $16,002 on hand. His largest donors include a Macon donor, family members named Smith, and the teachers' association fund.

  • $6,600.00Danielle Tehrani (Macon, GA)
  • $6,600.00Raymond Smith (Macon, GA — two entries)
  • $3,300.00Jaime Smith (Watkinsville, GA)
  • $2,800.00Madison S. Levine (Charlotte, NC)
  • $2,500.00GAE Fund for Public Education (Tucker, GA)
  • $1,000.00Democratic Party of Georgia (Atlanta, GA)
  • $850.00Linda Gilbert (Athens, GA)
  • $750.00Robert Herndon (Decatur, GA)

$41,698 raised · $16,002 cash on hand — as of Sep 14, 2026 (GA Ethics latest filing).

Source: Georgia Ethics Commission (PeachFile) — cycle-to-date, Sept. 14, 2026 · Ray Smith for Ga Senate 46 — campaign site · Classic City News — Oconee County businessman launches campaign for state senate · 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: Ray Smith for Ga Senate 46 — campaign site
Healthcare

Supports Medicaid expansion, in part to keep rural hospitals open, and expanded health-care access.

Source: Ray Smith for Ga Senate 46 — campaign site
Minimum Wage

We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. On cost of living (“I'll fight to keep more in your pocket”), he backs utility rate oversight and protecting workers' right to organize.

Source: Ray Smith for Ga Senate 46 — campaign site
Homelessness

We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. He wants to address corporate landlords driving up housing costs.

Source: Ray Smith for Ga Senate 46 — campaign site
Veterans Affairs

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

Source: Ray Smith for Ga Senate 46 — campaign site
Immigration

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

Source: Ray Smith for Ga Senate 46 — campaign site
Gun Control

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

Source: Ray Smith for Ga Senate 46 — campaign site
Abortion

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

Source: Ray Smith for Ga Senate 46 — campaign site
LGBTQ+

We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. He is endorsed by Georgia Equality, the state's LGBTQ+ advocacy group.

Source: Ray Smith for Ga Senate 46 — campaign site
DEI

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

Source: Ray Smith for Ga Senate 46 — campaign site
Marijuana

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

Source: Ray Smith for Ga Senate 46 — campaign site
Data centers

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

Source: Ray Smith for Ga Senate 46 — campaign site

Accountability File

None documented.

R

Marc McMain

Republican nominee · Walton County GOP chairman

Marc McMain is a Monroe entrepreneur who owns Town Values magazine, has worked as a real estate agent since 2003, and chairs the Walton County Republican Party. He and his wife, Liliana, have two sons. He won the June 16 Republican runoff over former state Rep. Doug McKillip with 64.5%. He is endorsed by former Rep. Jody Hice and the Walton, Oconee and Barrow county sheriffs.

Previously held

  • Chairman, Walton County Republican Party

Top contributors

$332,394 raised plus $100,000 in loans; a primary and runoff consumed $447,083, leaving $124,111. His largest donors are individuals and businesses around Athens, Bogart, Braselton and Loganville, including a fiber-optic contractor.

  • $5,300.00Steve Middlebrooks (Athens, GA)
  • $5,100.00Cindy Scott (Bogart, GA)
  • $5,100.00Billy Ray Jones (Braselton, GA)
  • $5,100.00Fiber Optic Construction LLC (Hoschton, GA)
  • $5,100.00David Kernall (Bogart, GA)
  • $3,864.00Michael Jansen (Athens, GA)
  • $3,800.00John Jessup (Loganville, GA)
  • $3,800.00Joe P. Crump (Loganville, GA)
  • $3,541.25Matthew Whitley (Monroe, GA)

$332,394 raised · $124,111 cash on hand — as of Sep 14, 2026 (GA Ethics latest filing).

Source: Georgia Ethics Commission (PeachFile) — cycle-to-date, Sept. 14, 2026 · Marc McMain for Georgia — campaign site · AccessNorthGA — McMain defeats McKillip in GOP State Senate 46 runoff (June 2026) · Georgia Recorder — Republican state Sen. Bill Cowsert enters race to become Georgia's next attorney general · Wikipedia — 2026 Georgia State Senate election (2024 presidential margins by district)

Where they stand

Education

“I'll defend parents' rights and fight to put education back in the hands of families. That means supporting school choice, financial literacy…”

Source: Marc McMain for Georgia — campaign site
Healthcare

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

Source: Marc McMain for Georgia — campaign site
Minimum Wage

We reviewed his campaign site as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. He wants to “end the state income tax” and backs Lt. Gov. Burt Jones' DOGE initiative.

Source: Marc McMain for Georgia — campaign site
Homelessness

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

Source: Marc McMain for Georgia — campaign site
Veterans Affairs

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

Source: Marc McMain for Georgia — campaign site
Immigration

Supports “tough laws to crack down on gangs, illegal immigration, and the deadly flow of fentanyl.”

Source: Marc McMain for Georgia — campaign site
Gun Control

Opposes gun restrictions: “I'm proudly pro-life and pro-Second Amendment.”

Source: Marc McMain for Georgia — campaign site
Abortion

Opposes abortion rights: “I'm proudly pro-life.”

Source: Marc McMain for Georgia — campaign site
LGBTQ+

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

Source: Marc McMain for Georgia — campaign site
DEI

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

Source: Marc McMain for Georgia — campaign site
Marijuana

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

Source: Marc McMain for Georgia — campaign site
Data centers

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

Source: Marc McMain for Georgia — campaign site

Accountability File

None documented.

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.