WABE: Defeated PSC member wants his old job back, running again

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Former Georgia energy regulator launches bid to retake seat

Emily Jones | WABE

February 3rd, 2026

 

Former Georgia Public Service Commissioner Fitz Johnson campaigns in September 2025. He lost that election but is now running to retake his seat. (Emily Jones/WABE)

This coverage is made possible through a partnership between WABE and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.

Former Georgia Public Service Commissioner Fitz Johnson, who lost his election last year, is running to reclaim the position. It’s one of two commission seats on this year’s ballot.

 

Johnson was appointed in 2021 to fill a vacancy on the commission in district three, which covers Clayton, DeKalb, and Fulton counties. A special election for the rest of that term was originally set for 2022 — but called off due to a lawsuit that suspended all PSC elections for several years.

Because of that history, last year’s election for the district three seat was only for a one-year term. Democrat Peter Hubbard won that race, one of two Democrats to unseat a Republican incumbent in a race dominated by voter frustration over rising energy bills.

Johnson said at the time that he planned to reclaim the seat, and now he has formally announced his campaign.

 

“Reliable, affordable power is not a luxury. It’s the backbone of family budgets, job growth and Georgia’s economic future,” Johnson said in his campaign announcement. “Conservative energy policy is the path to keeping the lights on and costs under control.”

Hubbard is also running for reelection to the seat, this time for a full six-year term.

 

The seat for District 5, which covers an area from the northwest corner of the state down to Newnan, is also on this year’s ballot. Republican Tricia Pridemore has held that seat since 2018. At least one Democrat, Angelia Pressley, is running for the seat.

Candidates for both seats will officially qualify during the first week of March, ahead of the May 19 primary. While PSC commissioners must live in specific districts, they are elected by a statewide vote.