Local races
Newton County Board of Commissioners, District 2
- Tamera Strong (Democrat) · won the May 19 Democratic primary; no Republican qualified
Lifelong Newton County resident. Defeated incumbent Commissioner Demond Mason in the May 19 Democratic primary, 1,862 votes to 1,854; a recount on May 28 confirmed the result. Sources: Georgia SOS official primary results; The Covington News, May 28, 2026
Newton County Board of Commissioners, District 4
- J.C. Henderson (Democrat) · incumbent; no Republican qualified
District 4 commissioner since first elected in November 1996, the longest-serving member of the board. 1976 Newton County High School graduate; Certified County Commissioner through the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia. Won the May 19 Democratic primary over Nytravious "Nytro" Smith, 1,640 to 1,463. Sources: Newton County, Commissioner J.C. Henderson (official); Georgia SOS official primary results
Newton County Board of Education, District 1
- Trey Bailey (Republican) · incumbent; no Democrat qualified
District 1 board member since 2016 and current board chair. Business and leadership consultant; previously executive pastor of Eastridge Church for 23 years. Graduate of Mercer University with a master's from Luther Rice Seminary. Sources: Newton County Schools, District 1 (official)
Newton County Board of Education, District 3
- Shakila Henderson-Baker (Democrat) · incumbent; no Republican qualified
District 3 board member since January 2011 and current vice chair; past president of the Georgia School Boards Association (2022). Mental health clinician for more than 14 years, now a utilization management coordinator. B.A., Fort Valley State University; M.S., Troy University. Sources: Newton County Schools, District 3 (official)
Newton County Board of Education, District 5
- D. Alan Fowler (Republican)
Band director who says he has lived in Covington for more than 30 years. His campaign lists student success, community collaboration and responsible leadership as priorities. Sources: Fowler campaign site - Adam A. Phyall III (Democrat)
Educator who says he has lived in Newton County since 2006. Director of professional learning and leadership at All4Ed / Future Ready Schools since 2022; previously Newton County Schools director of technology and media services (2016–2022) and an Alcovy High School science teacher. Holds an Ed.D. in digital transformation. Sources: Phyall campaign site