Who is running for Public Service Commissioner, District 5 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for Public Service Commissioner, District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for all voters in Georgia.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Side by side
Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.
| Issue | Josh TolbertRepublican | Shelia EdwardsDemocrat |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and climate | All of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pickQuestionnaire answer · medium | A gradual shift to cleaner energy, driven by incentivesSaid · medium |
| Nuclear power | Allow new reactors, keeping the NRC's full safety reviews and independenceQuestionnaire answer · low | No public position |
| Business regulation | Cut red tape, but keep core safety and environmental rulesQuestionnaire answer · low | Stronger rules on big corporations, banks and tech companiesSaid · medium |
Josh Tolbert
RepublicanEngineer, business owner and expert witness
Josh Tolbert is the Republican nominee for Public Service Commission District 5 on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot1. He is a business owner, engineer and educator who formerly taught engineering at Kennesaw State University and worked as chief technology officer for a small modular nuclear reactor company2.
Where they stand 3 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Energy and climateAll of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pickmedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- Said in a candidate questionnaire that gas is the most dependable, affordable base-load source, and in a runoff debate that he supports Georgians having distributed power, including solar, as part of a competitive market. (2026) source
- In his Ballotpedia survey he said "every energy source should be evaluated as a tool and used where its engineering and economics make sense." (2026) source
Nuclear powerAllow new reactors, keeping the NRC's full safety reviews and independencelow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- Said in a candidate questionnaire that nuclear is the most reliable energy source but is overregulated and too costly; in a runoff debate said he loves the technology but hates the price of the nuclear power that was built. (2026) source
Business regulationCut red tape, but keep core safety and environmental ruleslow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- Said stricter environmental laws often destroy jobs, raise costs and weaken energy independence, and that stewardship should come through innovation and free-market solutions rather than burdensome regulations. (2026) source
- His campaign website says "I will ensure costs are allocated to those who cause them, not shifted onto ratepayers." (2026) source
Shelia Edwards
DemocratBusiness owner and communications professional
Shelia Edwards is the Democratic nominee for Public Service Commission District 5 on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot1. She is a business owner and communications professional who won the 2022 Democratic primary for a Public Service Commission seat in a year when the general election was canceled2.
Where they stand 2 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Energy and climateA gradual shift to cleaner energy, driven by incentivesmedium
Said · medium confidence- Called for expanding Georgia Power's customer solar net metering program, calling it a "win-win," and made a clean, affordable energy future part of her primary platform. (2026) source
Business regulationStronger rules on big corporations, banks and tech companiesmedium
Said · medium confidence- Wrote on her campaign website that she is running to demand greater transparency and ensure Georgia Power is held accountable for every dollar it asks customers to pay, and said the commission must protect consumers from unnecessary rate increases. (2026) source
- In her Ballotpedia survey she said the commission "must stop rubber-stamping rate increases and start holding powerful corporations accountable." (2026) source
No public position found on: Nuclear power.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.