November 2026 Executive Director Message
By:
Dear UAC Members and Friends,
This Tuesday, November 3, Georgians will choose the leaders who will shape our industry for the next four years, including an open governor's seat, a U.S. Senate seat and every seat in the General Assembly.
The Urban Ag Council does not endorse candidates, but we urge every member to vote. If you have not voted early, head to your assigned precinct on Tuesday; any runoffs will be held December 1. Your polling place and sample ballot are on the Secretary of State's My Voter Page.
The races to watch
Office |
Major-party nominees |
Why it matters to our industry |
|---|---|---|
| Governor | Keisha Lance Bottoms (D), Rick Jackson (R) | Sets agency leadership, the state budget and regulatory priorities |
| U.S. Senate | Jon Ossoff (D, incumbent), Mike Collins (R) | Federal labor, immigration and farm policy that shapes our workforce |
| Lieutenant Governor | Josh McLaurin (D), Greg Dolezal (R) | Presides over the state Senate and influences which bills move |
| Attorney General | Tanya Miller (D), Brian Strickland (R) | Enforces state law and consumer protection rules |
| Secretary of State | Penny Brown Reynolds (D), Tim Fleming (R) | Runs elections and business and professional registration |
| Agriculture Commissioner | Tyler Harper (R, incumbent), Katherine Juhan-Arnold (D) | Licenses nurseries and plant dealers and oversees pesticide regulation |
| Labor Commissioner | Barbara Rivera Holmes (R, incumbent), Nikki Porcher (D) | Runs workforce programs and unemployment insurance |
| Insurance Commissioner | John King (R, incumbent), Keisha Waites (D) | Regulates the business, fleet and liability coverage you buy |
| Public Service Commission, District 3 | Peter Hubbard (D, incumbent), Fitz Johnson (R) | Sets utility rates for growers, greenhouses and offices |
| Public Service Commission, District 5 | Shelia Edwards (D), Josh Tolbert (R) | Sets utility rates for growers, greenhouses and offices |
| General Assembly | All 236 seats | Writes the laws on water, pesticides, workforce and business |
Questions for whoever wins
Whoever wins, our industry will be asking:
- How will you treat the professional landscape industry in drought and water policy?
- What will you do to help small businesses find, train and keep workers?
- How will you protect small businesses from rising costs, tax burdens and unfair competition?
- How will you keep regulation practical for small companies?
- Do you know what Georgia's urban ag industry contributes to the state economy?
After the votes are counted
The 2027 session opens in January, and UAC will be at the Capitol from day one, focused on:
- Water policy that treats the professional landscape industry as part of the solution
- Workforce training and labor policy that reflects how our industry hires
- Protecting small business, the backbone of our industry, from rising costs and policies that favor big players over family-owned companies
- Practical regulation that protects the public without burying small companies in paperwork
- Educating new legislators about our industry early
Want to meet your new representatives? Reach out and we will help you prepare.
Join us this winter
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Tue., Nov. 17, 2026 | Latino Landscape Contractor Business Summit | Cultivation Brewing Co. |
| Thu., Dec. 10, 2026 | Landscape Pro University – Coastal | Savannah |
| Wed., Jan. 27, 2027 | Landscape Pro University – Atlanta | Cobb Convention Center |
| Wed., Sept. 15, 2027 | UGA Turfgrass Research Field Day | UGA Griffin Campus |
| November 2027 | Georgia Sod Producers Field Day | Fort Valley |
Looking ahead
Elections come and go, but the work of growing Georgia does not stop. With your involvement, every new leader in Atlanta will understand what our industry means to this state. Thank you for all you do, and I look forward to seeing you this winter.
Warm regards,
Mary Kay Woodworth
Executive Director
