Columbus mayoral race: latest updated results in 2026 election

The 2026 Columbus mayoral election has featured six candidates trying to succeed Mayor Skip Henderson, who can’t be on the ballot because city law limits the mayor to two four-year terms:

• Isaiah Hugley, who worked 41 years for the Columbus Consolidated Government, including 20 years as city manager, before the council voted 7-3 May 27 to fire him
• Columbus Councilor Joanne Cogle of District 7, who owns Crossfit CSG gym and is among the councilors who voted yes to fire Hugley.
• Chris Breault, a lawyer who specializes in personal injury cases.
• Jaketra Bryant, a licensed professional counselor.
• Steven Kelly, a U.S. Army veteran who co-owns S&J Contractors.
• Mark LaJoye, a U.S. Army veteran who worked in the Columbus Police Department for 13 years and lost five elections while running as a Republican to be Muscogee County sheriff.

Hugley and Cogle have been considered the top candidates throughout the campaign season, based on their experience and the money they have raised.

Hugley, if elected, would be the first Black candidate to be elected mayor of Columbus in its 198-year history. A.J. McClung was considered the first Black mayor of a major Southern city when, as mayor pro tem, he served for 52 1/2 days as interim mayor of Columbus after J.R. Allen died in a plane crash in 1973.

During his campaign, Hugley promised to lean on his decades of experience working for the city, working with Choose Columbus to create job opportunities, advocating for a plan to have I-14 run through Columbus, and investing in infrastructure to revitalize communities.

Cogle, if elected, would be the second woman to be mayor of Columbus, following Teresa Tomlinson (2011-19). Cogle became a Columbus Councilor in 2023 after working to create the TriColumbusGA triathlons.

She promised voters an easier process for zoning and permitting to encourage small businesses, continue the improvements Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis has led in the police department, and strengthen ties to Columbus State University and Fort Benning to ensure the city is in a better financial position.

Voters at the polls said some of the top issues that went into their decision on the mayoral race included the proposed hyperscale data center, affordability and transparency.

If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will qualify for a June 16 runoff. The winner will be sworn into office in January.

Live updates

9:07 p.m. (Precincts reported: 25 of 25)

1. Hugley - 13,866
2. Cogle - 6,424
3. Breault - 2,954
4. Bryant - 2,543
5. LaJoye - 1,142
6. Kelly - 647

7:20 p.m. (Advanced and absentee vote totals from the Muscogee County Elections and Registration Office)

1. Hugley - 11,075
2. Cogle - 4,474
3. Breault - 1,917
4. Bryant - 1,787
5. LaJoye - 825
6. Kelly - 462

This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 7:52 PM.

Brittany McGee

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Brittany McGee is the community issues reporter for the Ledger-Enquirer. She is a 2021 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Media and Journalism with a second degree in Economics. She began at the Ledger-Enquirer as a Report for America corps member covering the COVID-19 recovery in Columbus. Brittany also covered business for the Ledger-Enquirer.