Middle Georgia Meets the Candidates for Georgia Governor : Inside the NAACP Georgia Governor Meet & Greet

Warner Robins, GA — The Georgia State Conference of the NAACP, in partnership with its Macon-Bibb and Houston County branches, brought the race for governor to Middle Georgia last week with a powerful Governor Meet & Greet at the First Baptist Church’s New Beginning Center in Warner Robins. The event drew more than a hundred residents, offering voters the chance to hear directly from gubernatorial candidates as Georgia’s 2026 election season begins to heat up.

Derrick Jackson at the NAACP Governor Meet and Greet

Warner Robbin’s Mayor at the NAACP Governor Meet and Greet

Candidates for Georgia Governor Take the Stage

The evening featured speeches from several prominent contenders:

• Olu Brown, former pastor and educator, called for universal healthcare, higher teacher pay, and a living wage. He emphasized an education system that works for every child, regardless of zip code.

• Rep. Jason Esteves, state lawmaker and business owner, unveiled a plan to create a $1 billion fund for small businesses and pledged comprehensive investments in public education, from childcare to career training.

• Rep. Derrick Jackson warned of federal overreach and likened the current political climate to a new civil rights struggle, urging vigilance and collective action.

• Mike Thurmond, former DeKalb CEO and labor commissioner, spoke on healthcare, inflation, and education. He stressed the importance of providing opportunities for young men and uniting Georgians across race and class.

• Ken Yasger, a Republican and Georgia National Guard member, presented an unconventional platform centered on states’ rights, abolishing income tax, and legalizing marijuana.

  
  

Three additional candidates—Keisha Lance Bottoms, Attorney General Chris Carr, and Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones—were unable to attend in person but shared video messages outlining their priorities.

A Charge from the NAACP to the Next Georgia Governor

State NAACP President Gerald Griggs issued a strong call to action for all candidates:“Be a governor for Georgia… or you’re going to hear from me and all of the NAACP.”

Griggs underscored that any future governor must represent the entire state, not just metro Atlanta. He reminded candidates that both rural and urban communities deserve to be heard and prioritized in policymaking.

Why It Matters

By holding the event in Warner Robins rather than Atlanta, the NAACP sent a clear message: Middle Georgia voters matter. Too often, candidates focus their campaigns on urban centers while overlooking smaller communities. This forum offered everyday Georgians a chance to evaluate candidates’ policies on healthcare, education, economic opportunity, and civil rights—issues that affect families statewide.

Looking Ahead

Organizers said future events may include Q&A sessions to allow for more direct dialogue between candidates and voters. With primaries scheduled for May 2026 and the general election in November, the Meet & Greet marked an early but important step in ensuring that Georgians are informed, engaged, and ready to hold candidates accountable.