Latest results for Georgia Public Service Commission District 5 Republican runoff
Josh Tolbert won the Republican District 5 Georgia Public Service Commission runoff Tuesday, defeating Bobby Mehan 59% to 40.2%.
Tolbert received 349,208 votes, and Mehan received 235,588 votes.
On May 19 primary election day, Tolbert received the most votes, but it wasn’t a majority, so a runoff was required against Bobby Mehan, who finished second with 241,379 votes. The Republican primary winner will face the Democratic District 5 primary winner Sheila Edwards, who won with 556,377 votes May 19. Together, the two Republicans got just over the same amount as one Democrat at 584,796.
Tolbert told the Ledger-Enquirer Tuesday night he is humbled and honored to earn the support of Republican voters in this runoff and advance to the general election.
The Georgia Public Service Commission regulates telecom and utility companies. Last December, the five-seat commission approved a 10 gigawatt power request from energy giant Georgia Power — one of the largest energy expansion requests in the country that would be powered mostly by gas.
Since 2006, all five commissioners have been Republican, permitting resource plans that have at times increased utility rates and continue to expand gas and coal power, with some support for solar and battery clean energy. This occurred at staggering rates during the past several years with much attention given by the public during the 2022, 2023 and 2025 Integrated Resource Plan.
But in November, two Democrats won seats in an unprecedented win: Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard. In December, Tricia Pridemore, Republican commissioner for District 5, announced she wasn’t seeking reelection. That seat will now be filled by either Tolbert, who will run against Edwards, winner of the Democratic primary, creating a Democratic or a Republican majority on the commission.
Tolbert, a licensed professional engineer with a doctorate in mechanical engineering, told the Ledger-Enquirer in May he understands why Hubbard won, calling him an energy expert.
“I think people are ready to see someone who knows what they are talking about — technical competency and understands energy policy,” he said. “Last year, Peter Hubbard did really well because he actually knew about energy.”
Tolbert did not sign a pledge by the Atlanta People’s Campaign in May to declare he would not take any money from Georgia Power. Edwards did the sign the pledge in May.
“I have heard about (the pledge) and have an understanding of its purpose, but I have not yet reviewed the actual language, and I understand there are several components beyond purely campaign contributions, and I do not make commitments without reading details first,” Tolbert said in a text message Tuesday night to the Ledger-Enquirer. “ I do intend to review and consider signing. Throughout the campaign, I have not accepted a single dollar from any entity that would come before the PSC, and I am proud of that fact. I believe Georgians deserve confidence that PSC decision are made based on the facts, the law and what is best for ratepayers-not campaign contributions.”
This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 9:43 PM.
