# U.S. House — District 12 — 2026 Candidates — The GA Files > Where the 2026 candidates for Georgia U.S. House — District 12 stand — bio, prior offices, top donors, positions on DEI, LGBTQ+, abortion, and data centers, plus any scandals. Sourced. *Source: https://thegafiles.com/candidates/us-house-12.html · The GA Files (thegafiles.com)* --- [← 2026 Candidates](https://thegafiles.com/candidates.html) # U.S. House — District 12 D ### Ceretta Smith Democratic nominee A Grovetown City Council member and the Democratic nominee challenging Republican incumbent Rick Allen in the Augusta-area 12th District. She won the June 2026 Democratic runoff but faces long odds in the reliably Republican seat. #### Previously held - Grovetown City Council member - Community advocate #### Top contributors A grassroots, locally rooted campaign with limited reported fundraising, challenging a well-funded incumbent in a reliably Republican district. No PAC donor base to report. **$22,756** raised · **$1,956** cash on hand — as of **May 27, 2026** (FEC latest filing). Source: [Ballotpedia — GA-12, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia%27s_12th_Congressional_District_election,_2026) #### Where they stand Federal spending & debt Brings city-council budgeting experience and runs on affordability and public investment for the district; as a challenger she has no congressional voting record. Source: [Ballotpedia — GA-12, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia%27s_12th_Congressional_District_election,_2026) Education Supports public-school investment. Source: [Ballotpedia — GA-12, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia%27s_12th_Congressional_District_election,_2026) Healthcare Backs expanding coverage and lowering costs. Source: [Ballotpedia — GA-12, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia%27s_12th_Congressional_District_election,_2026) Social Security reform Opposes cuts to Social Security and Medicare. Source: [Ballotpedia — GA-12, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia%27s_12th_Congressional_District_election,_2026) Minimum Wage Supports raising the federal minimum wage. Source: [Ballotpedia — GA-12, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia%27s_12th_Congressional_District_election,_2026) Homelessness Backs federal affordable-housing investment. Source: [Ballotpedia — GA-12, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia%27s_12th_Congressional_District_election,_2026) Veterans Affairs Supports strengthening VA care. Source: [Ballotpedia — GA-12, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia%27s_12th_Congressional_District_election,_2026) Immigration Supports humane reform and a path to citizenship. Source: [Ballotpedia — GA-12, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia%27s_12th_Congressional_District_election,_2026) Gun Control Supports gun-safety measures. Source: [Ballotpedia — GA-12, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia%27s_12th_Congressional_District_election,_2026) Abortion Supports abortion rights and restoring Roe-era protections. Source: [Ballotpedia — GA-12, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia%27s_12th_Congressional_District_election,_2026) LGBTQ+ Supports LGBTQ+ equality. Source: [Ballotpedia — GA-12, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia%27s_12th_Congressional_District_election,_2026) DEI Supports diversity and inclusion. Source: [Ballotpedia — GA-12, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia%27s_12th_Congressional_District_election,_2026) Marijuana Supports marijuana decriminalization and reform. Source: [Ballotpedia — GA-12, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia%27s_12th_Congressional_District_election,_2026) Data centers & AI Has not detailed a specific AI or data-center position. Source: [Ballotpedia — GA-12, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia%27s_12th_Congressional_District_election,_2026) #### Scandals None documented. R ### Rick Allen Republican incumbent A Republican construction-company owner from Augusta representing the 12th District since 2015, seeking another term. He sits on the Education & Workforce and Agriculture committees and is a reliable conservative vote. He won renomination in 2026. #### Previously held - U.S. House, GA-12 (2015–present) - House Education & Workforce and Agriculture committees - Construction-company owner (Augusta) #### Top contributors Funded by agribusiness and corporate PACs tied to his rural Augusta-area district and committee assignments — AFLAC, the pecan and chicken industries, Verizon, Cox, and Pfizer all give at or near the max. Filed with the FEC. - $10,000.00 — AFLAC PAC (insurance) - $10,000.00 — National Pecan Federation PAC (agribusiness) - $10,000.00 — National Chicken Council PAC (agribusiness) - $10,000.00 — Verizon PAC (telecom) - $10,000.00 — Cox Enterprises PAC (media) - $8,000.00 — Pfizer PAC (pharma) **$856,720** raised · **$1,278,263** cash on hand — as of **Apr 29, 2026** (FEC latest filing). Source: [FEC — Rick Allen](https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H4GA12121/) #### Where they stand Federal spending & debt A reliable fiscal conservative who votes for GOP budget priorities and spending cuts. Source: [Ballotpedia — Rick Allen](https://ballotpedia.org/Rick_Allen) Education On the Education & Workforce Committee, he backs school choice, workforce training, and rolling back federal mandates. Source: [Ballotpedia — Rick Allen](https://ballotpedia.org/Rick_Allen) Healthcare Opposes the ACA and favors market-based healthcare. Source: [Ballotpedia — Rick Allen](https://ballotpedia.org/Rick_Allen) Social Security reform Says current seniors' benefits should be protected while pressing for fiscal restraint. Source: [Ballotpedia — Rick Allen](https://ballotpedia.org/Rick_Allen) Minimum Wage Has not detailed a minimum-wage position. Source: [Ballotpedia — Rick Allen](https://ballotpedia.org/Rick_Allen) Homelessness Has not addressed housing or homelessness. Source: [Ballotpedia — Rick Allen](https://ballotpedia.org/Rick_Allen) Veterans Affairs Supports strengthening veterans' care and a strong military. Source: [Ballotpedia — Rick Allen](https://ballotpedia.org/Rick_Allen) Immigration A border hardliner who supports tougher enforcement and opposes amnesty. Source: [Ballotpedia — Rick Allen](https://ballotpedia.org/Rick_Allen) Gun Control A Second Amendment supporter opposing new restrictions. Source: [Ballotpedia — Rick Allen](https://ballotpedia.org/Rick_Allen) Abortion Anti-abortion, consistent with the district's conservative base. Source: [Ballotpedia — Rick Allen](https://ballotpedia.org/Rick_Allen) LGBTQ+ Has not detailed LGBTQ+ positions. Source: [Ballotpedia — Rick Allen](https://ballotpedia.org/Rick_Allen) DEI Aligns with GOP opposition to DEI mandates. Source: [Ballotpedia — Rick Allen](https://ballotpedia.org/Rick_Allen) Marijuana Has not staked out a marijuana position. Source: [Ballotpedia — Rick Allen](https://ballotpedia.org/Rick_Allen) Data centers & AI Has not detailed an AI or data-center policy; his district's focus is agriculture and rural economy. Source: [Ballotpedia — Rick Allen](https://ballotpedia.org/Rick_Allen) #### Scandals None documented. [GA Files fact sheet](https://thegafiles.com/RickAllen.html) · [Ballotpedia — Rick Allen](https://ballotpedia.org/Rick_Allen) [⬇ Share image](https://thegafiles.com/share/candidates/us-house-12.png) [⬇ Download for offline](https://thegafiles.com/candidates/us-house-12.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.